Week 26 - Death is conquered

Theme:

The theme this week is “Death is conquered”.

It seems as if the people who had formed a community around Jesus have fallen into a deep sleep – due to the shock they experienced following what had happened in the last few days. Then they start to wake up, one after another, the women first. They awaken as if from a dream. But it is not easy to let the new reality truly sink in.

What I might wish to ask for:

That I have the courage to allow what is happening here to really sink in

That I may be graced with faith in the resurrected Jesus;

That I may be counted among the first witnesses of his new life.

I place myself before God who is looking at me with love.

Music: Köln Jesuit: The Clouds of the Night

YouTube Link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjzypWTY4yk

Spotify Link:

https://open.spotify.com/track/10xQsoMKCWVqnN50oDIwva?si=gLeGZsXmR-GcKIWRlH-TBA

The clouds of night are passed away;
Alleluia!
Rejoice, Marie, rejoice today;
Alleluia!
The Offspring of thy Virgin womb,
Alleluia!
Is risen from the Virgin tomb.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Death’s arrows keen are knapt in twain;
Alleluia!
At Jesu’s feet Death lieth slain:
Alleluia!
Though heaviness endure a night,
Alleluia!
Joy cometh with the morning light.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

The Cross where-on our debts were paid,
Alleluia!
His kingly sceptre now is made:
Alleluia!
Rejoice, Marie, rejoice today;
Alleluia!
The clouds of night are passed away.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Original German text

Laßt uns erfreuen herzlich sehr
Maria seufzt und weint nicht mehr
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Verschwunden alle Übel sein,
Jetzt glänzt der helle Sonnenschein,
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Sag an, o freudenreiches Herz,
Wo ist denn jetz, Ach, Weh und Schmerz?
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Glorreich vom Grab erstanden ist
Der Menschen Trost, Herr Jesu Christ.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

O freudenreiche Osterzeit,
Wo sich ein jeder Christ erfreut,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Stimmt an den fröhlichen Jubelton,
Singt alle, wer nur singen kann:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Ausserlesene Catholische Geistliche Kirchengesäng, Köln, Duitsland, 1623.

John 20, 11-18

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 

In imagination I take up a position in this story in order to grasp what is really happening here. Maybe a stand close to Mary as she weeps or maybe I watch from a distance.

Mary loves Jesus with all her heart and soul. Such a lot of sorrow! So many tears! Such a great love leaves a great emptiness. Confusion: where is that deeply loved person? Maybe I have experienced such a moment in my own life.

*

Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus.  Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rab-bo′ni!” (which means Teacher). 

Mary recognises Jesus when He says her name. The veil is gently removed. I let this scene permeate my senses. I am witnessing a very big mystery here. Can I let that mystery occur in my own life?

*

Jesus said to her, “Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”

 Jesus says, ‘Do not hold on to me.’ I pay attention to my own feelings. To let someone I love with all my heart and soul go is an impossible request! And yet….?

*

Mary Mag′dalene went and said to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

Mary stands up and goes on her way. She has been called. She has a calling. Can I relate to that in my own life?

*

I can end my time of prayer by listening to the music again but maybe first I can talk to Jesus as friends talk to each other sharing my feelings after this meditation.

Music: Köln Jesuit: The Clouds of the Night