The Catholic Calendar for Friday, July 22, 2005
Friday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Mary Magdalene, disciple

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Song of Songs 3:1-4
Psalm 63:2-6, 8-9
John 20:1-2, 11-18

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"Woman, why are you weeping?" (John 20:15)

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. But the one thing we need not mourn, need never concern ourselves with again, is the loss of Jesus. Jesus is no longer present on earth in a single corporeal body, but we have His Real Presence, His Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Eucharist. Moreover, we are part of the Mystical Body of Christ.

Why then are you weeping? Let your heart be filled with joy, because joy is the presence of heaven on earth. God gives us joy and fills us with joy as a "preview" of heaven and a reassurance of His Presence.

God is ever with us--there is no need for weeping. Indeed, our joy should ever increase as we realize Him and His Presence in all of those around us. There is no longer any need for standing by the tomb. It is time to make meals, to sing, to dance, to invite all to celebrate with us.

Christ is risen and we are a risen people--risen from weeping at a tomb to dancing in heaven with Our Joy, Our Lord, Our God, Our Brother, Our Teacher, Our Savior.

Amen!

Alleluia!

- JuandelaCruz
(http://floscarmeli.stblogs.org/)

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