See and believe – Reflection on John 20:1-9
Awareness of a grace-giving Jesus becomes alive with the recognition of the work of our souls with divinity. Helping others without expectation, reading the Word, and being part of a faith-oriented social community all contribute to a strong foundation. The combination of our mind, body, and soul develops layer after layer with the love of God and neighbor. This sense becomes particularly strong whenever we think, pray, and are grateful for Jesus’s resurrection. As we embrace a human and divine mingled love of Jesus glorified, we trust the Spirit to help us rise. No doubt, there are challenges, such as allowing our free will to abandon self-centeredness. Without doing so, we slow down the process of our soul touching the resurrected Jesus. To see and believe the empty linens in the tomb represents a metaphor as we leave our negative past behind and rise with Jesus from deep within. Great hope forms when we comprehend the journey that results in our resurrection into eternal love.
The Resurrection by James Tissot.
The full-resolution painting and more details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Eastertide Reflections
John 20:1-9 – Scripture*
The Resurrection of Jesus
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. 4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, 7 and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on John 20:1-9 Reflection – See and Believe.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities experience your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible John 20 passage.
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Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: See and Believe
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