April 14

Readings for the Day: ACTS 2:36-41 PS 4-5, 18-20, 22 JN 20:11-18

“Stop holding on to me.” – Jesus

I’m not joking. That is a direct quote from today’s Gospel. It is also a perfect example of why Catholics are such sticklers for knowing the context when reading the Bible.

Jesus had just revealed himself to Mary Magdalene after his resurrection. And he does, she exclaims “Rabbouni!” The best translation for the word is teacher. But the Bible doesn’t tell us what she does. We are left to infer that by the next thing Jesus says. “Stop holding on to me.” But wait. He continues, “for I have not ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

Let’s get into two important points: why Mary Magdalene saw the resurrected Jesus before others and the ramifications of what Jesus said in our lives.

The first line of the Gospel was, “Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping.” She would not leave our Lord. Even after his death. Even while the disciples where hiding in fear. She would not leave. And Jesus revealed himself to her. Then, he tells her to stop holding onto him and go out and share the Good News.

Go to Jesus in Adoration. Listen for his prompting. Go out and share the Good News.

If you are living alone, you can still share with others in telephone conversations, text messages, and social media. You can share what you did on Easter instead of attending Mass in person. You can share this column. You can direct people to our YouTube channel.

If there are other humans under your roof, this is always where you should start. You can pray before meals. You can pray when you wake and/or before you go to sleep. You can pray the rosary. You can be seen reading spiritual books. You can tell your kids why you are Catholic. You can express why you miss Mass.

What are your best ideas for evangelizing during this period of social distancing? Email me and let me know!

David is the Director of Faith Formation at Our Lady of Joy.

If you have comments or questions, send your emails to dlins@oloj.org.

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