GOD’S WORD

3

IT TAKES TWO TO TANGO

The flowing narrative in our Gospel reading today from John is quite unlike the style of the Fourth Evangelist and reminds the reader more of the stories in the account of Luke. Jesus is put on the spot by his critics and asked for his opinion as to what should be done about a woman caught in the act of adultery. Jesus is being judged; but he turns the process around and focuses it on the characters who want to catch him out.

APRIL The judgment of the Law is clear: the woman should be stoned to death. But the point of the confrontation is not the fate of the unnamed woman; it is to find something FIFTH SUNDAY with which to accuse and convict Jesus. It is OF LENT a case of Jesus versus Moses, and so there should be no question of the outcome. Jesus refuses to engage in the debate, but rather challenges his self-righteous opponents to initiate the sentence of death. They and all the others apparently melt away, until Jesus and the woman are left alone, and for the first time she is addressed directly. Jesus does not judge her, but offers her the possibility of a new life and a restored relationship with God, when he says “Do not sin again”. The past is over, forgiven and forgotten; what matters is the new life from now on.

Today’s Readings

Is 43:16-21; Ps 125; Phil 3:8-14; Jn 8:1-11

JESUS’ FINAL TEST

APRIL At the beginning of the 10 Gospel narrative, we saw Jesus tested as to how he understands being PALM the Son of God. Luke

SUNDAY ended his account with the ominous words that “the devil left him, to return at the appointed time”.

During the Last Supper, he tells us that “Satan entered into Judas” and was also seeking to challenge Simon Peter. So the scene is set for the final test of Jesus as the Son of God.

Throughout his account, Luke has presented the disciples in a more positive light than Mark, and this more sympathetic view persists throughout the Passion narrative, which we hear read today. The male disciples are not described as fleeing the scene when Jesus is arrested and may well be included among those who witness the crucifixion.

Luke’s version is much more gentle and understanding of the complexity facing the characters in the story. Jesus’ message of healing and reconciliation continues right up to the end: Pilate and the soldiers do not make fun of Jesus; there is no crown of thorns; the crowd of Jewish people following Jesus on his way to Calvary, not all of whom are disciples, are presenting as “lamenting his fate”. Jesus speaks sympathetically to the “Daughters of Jerusalem”. He prays for forgiveness for those responsible for his being executed on political charges, perhaps not only those who actually carry out the dreadful deed, but also those who engineered it, the chief priest and scribes who did not realise what they were actually doing.

Today’s Readings

Is 50:4-7; Ps 21; Phil 2:6-11; Lk 22:1423:56

WHERE’S THE BODY?

The narrative Gospel tradition presents Mary Magdalene as the first witness to the Resurrection. We might note that the Gospel accounts do not say that anyone actually saw Jesus emerge from the tomb. The women are the constant factor in the story of Jesus’ journey of suffering. They witness the crucifixion and the burial; Mary Magdalene and others are mentioned in the various narratives of the discovery of the empty tomb.

The episode today recalls John’s telling of

Jesus’ raising Lazarus to life, but there are APRIL important and significant differences in the 17 two scenes. First of all, Lazarus’ tomb is still sealed, but that of Jesus is open (leading to questions as to why: Mary does not conclude EASTER from the absence of the body that Jesus is SUNDAY risen). In the case of Jesus, his burial cloths are found on the ground and his facecloth rolled up in a separate place: Lazarus appears with his funeral sheets around him. We might notice that the simple fact of the missing body does not inspire Simon Peter to faith. Peter may well be the leader of the disciples, but it is the one who is closest to Jesus in a relationship of love who understands what has actually happened.

Today’s Readings

Acts 10:34.37-43; Ps 117; Col 3:1-4; Jn 20:1-9

SEEING IS BELIEVING?

APRIL Our Gospel reading forms the end of the work of 24 the Fourth Evangelist. Despite the message from Mary Magdalene, the disciples are in hiding out SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER of fear for their lives. It will take an experience of the risen Jesus among them to convince them that (Divine Mercy Sunday) he is truly risen. During Jesus’ ministry, the disciples have no active part to play: they are given no share in Jesus’ ministry, unlike in the other Gospel versions. It is now that Jesus commissions them and they become ‘apostles’, that is, ones who are sent. Now that Jesus is no longer among them as before, it is up to them to continue his mission. Jesus breathes on them the Holy Spirit to empower them in their ministry: those who accept their message will express this publicly by being baptised and having their sins forgiven as a consequence of their decision to live this new life. Those who decide not to become disciples will remain in their present spiritual condition.

Thomas represents the sceptical person who wants to see for himself that what the others tell him is true. The risen Jesus appears among the disciples again and wishes them “Peace”. Thomas does not actually touch Jesus physically, but makes the supreme confession of faith in Jesus which we find in the Gospel of John, when he declares “My Lord and my God!” This leads to the last recorded words of Jesus, “Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.” These words are addressed to us who hear them today.

Statue of Mary Magdalene

Today’s Readings

SOLUTIONS CROSSWORD No. 1 Across: 1. Rhodes, 5. Macaws, 10. Jericho, 11. Reverie, 12. Rota, 13. Ogham, 15. Chip, 17. Yam, 19. Sacked, 21. Ripple, 22. Messiah, 23. Hebrew, 25. Gaucho, 28. Vet, 30. Beta, 31. Huron, 32. Esau, 35. Teasing, 36. Pandora, 37. Isobar, 38. Rebuke. Down: 2. Heretic, 3. Dock, 4. Stodgy, 5. Miriam, 6. Cave, 7. Warship, 8. Fjords, 9. Temple, 14. Hamster, 16. Yemen, 18. Jihad, 20. Dew, 21. Rag, 23. Habits, 24. Betrays, 26. Cassock, 27. Ocular, 28. Vulgar, 29. Torpor, 33. Limb, 34. Snub. Winner of Crossword No. 1 Nancy Clarke, Ballina, Co. Mayo.

ACROSS

1. Chubby winged baby in art. (6) 5. Polish birthplace of the Solidarity movement. (6) 10. I garble the Archangel. (7) 11. What Americans call salad rocket. (7) 12. See above in Footnotes. (4) 13. Official language of the Holy See. (5) 15. Matching card game. (4) 17. A person’s right, what is owed to someone. (3) 19. Pattern produced with small coloured pieces. (6) 21. Gigantic legendary sea monster. (6) 22. Author of ‘War and Peace.’ (7) 23. French goodbyes. (6) 25. Old Testament writer. (6) 28. Bird similar to a penguin. (3) 30. French request for a reply. (4) 31. Counting snake. (5) 32. A short railway branch line. (4) 35. Language and region of Belgium. (7) 36. Former units of length. (7) 37. Speaks in public without previous preparation. (2-4) 38. A cure for an ill. (6)

DOWN

2. J.R.R. Tolkien’s halflings. (7) 3. The remains of a building. (4) 4. A narrative set to music. (6) 5. I ogle a keeper. (6) 6. A fever or shivering fit. (4) 7. The first artificial Earth satellite. (7) 8. Discrimination against older people. (6) 9. A game fish for the patron. (6) 14. Famous wax madame. (7) 16. Arch Roman Emperor. (5) 18. A private, romantic rendezvous. (5) 20. Another name for Romaine lettuce. (3) 21. Ornamental carp. (3) 23. They go with slings and outrageous fortune. (6) 24. A person made weak. (7) 26. Seize and take legal custody. (7) 27. Irritate or disturb persistently. (6) 28. Greek god of beauty and desire. (6) 29. Material used in body armour. (6) 33. Great Asian desert. (4) 34. Front hand centre! (4)

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