The Resurrection - Faith

 

The Glorious Mysteries

The Resurrection

Fruit of the Mystery: Faith

According to the Gospel of Matthew, on the morning after the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene and another Mary go to the tomb, only to find that the tomb is empty. An angel tells them that Jesus has been risen and to go tell the other disciples.

In the coming days and weeks, the Risen Jesus would appear many times to his followers.  One of the most famous encounters involves the apostle Thomas. The other apostles had told him that they had seen the Lord. However, he did not believe it. He wanted proof. Thomas stated, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe” (John  20:25).

When Jesus does appear to Thomas, Jesus gently rebukes his lack of faith.  “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed” (John 20:29). 

 

All of us reading this today fall into that second group. None of us have encountered the Risen Lord in the flesh, yet we believe.

Still, it can be hard. Like Thomas, we want proof. Wouldn’t it be easier to believe if we could actually touch Jesus? But we have the testimony of the ones who did touch him in Scripture. We have the tradition of the Church. We have the role models of the saints who have gone before us. Plus, we have the grace of God that helps us to believe. Through our experience of reading the Word of God and encountering Jesus in prayer and the Sacraments, we come to have faith in Jesus. We have the freedom to choose faith, to proclaim our belief in Christ, who by his death and resurrection saved us.

In meditating on this mystery of The Resurrection, may we pray for an increase in our faith.

 

The Fruits of the Mysteries of the Rosary is available on Amazon. 

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