Geste of the Great King

Led Zeppelins track called "Dazed and Confused" is the perfect title to describe the mentality of the disciples who were struggling to make sense of the resurrection of Jesus. Today we hear about how John highlights the early struggles of the disciples of Jesus.   We hear that they are full of doubt.   For John, the theme of doubt is closely related to maturing in faith—they are, in fact, interrelated and necessary as we discover in the next act. So before we get to doubting Thomas, let us get to the unnamed disciples who locked themselves in an upper room out fear.   These disciples were naturally seized with fear because they were fugitives of faith from the Jewish authorities.    Despite, Mary’s proclamation about experiencing the risen Christ, these disciples kept themselves hidden as they knew shame, insult and even death were knocking at their door.   These disciples were full of confusion and, yes, serious doubt about the stories bei...

My brothers and sisters in our risen Christ, today we finally get to start celebrating.   We get to celebrate for fifty days!   Did you know that?   Easter Sunday is the first day of 50 days of celebration of our risen Lord!   It is a season, not just a day.   There is good reason for this.   Just like the apparent confusion about Jesus’ empty tomb by Mary, Peter and the beloved disciple, we need time to digest the gravity of the events that have just taken place from Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.   Thus, let us feast on today’s gospel. First we have Mary who discovers an empty tomb and to her terror she believes that the body of Jesus was taken away or stolen.   So she rushes off, in her confusion, to tell Peter and the beloved disciple the atrocity that has been committed.   Now you must understand, Peter and this other disciple were not sprinting to the tomb of Jesus because they believed something good was happ...