More Came to Believe

Acts of the Apostles 2: 36-41 ~~~Psalm 33 ~~~ John 20: 11-18

"Save yourselves from this corrupt generation."

This sounds like a headline riped from one of today's tabloids, but it was actually recorded by the Gospel writer, Luke.  This sentence was part of a longer dissertation being presented to the Israelites by Peter soon after the Resurrection. He goes on to tell them that those promises made to them and to their children and to any one else the Lord will call would be honored.

That day, of those who heard the message, three thousand were baptized. They went on to devote themselves to the teachings of the apostles and to the communal life. "All who believed were together all things in common..." (Acts 2: 44) Times were blessed and filled with joy. Every day more people came to believe and join the community.

For awhile now we will hear about how the faith grew around the teachings of Jesus through his apostles. These testimonies are meant to give us reason to feel grounded in what we have been taught too.

This verse from the psalm sums up their prevailing sentiment "...May your kindness, O Lord, be upon us who have put our hope in you."

Meanwhile back at the tomb...

Grieving, Mary Magdalene remains weeping. Even when you accept the resurrection you still shed tears for the loss of the physical presence of the one you love who is no longer with you. John places angels sitting in the tomb keeping watch over the space or filling it with grace. Perhaps John was making the connection with the angels present at the birth of Jesus. These angels were not singing this day they were marking the spot where the raising had taken place.

It is wonderful when the angels speak...they inquire as to why the tears are falling.

But much to Mary's surprise the one she sees outside also asks about her tears. This does not bother her because she assumes it is the gardener

who would not have known Jesus.

Then it happens; she hears the voice of the one whom she loves call her by name, 'Mary'. I am convinced that the qualities of the voice of Jesus were beyond our comprehension. For many times it was only his voice that changed people's lives.
Mary must have been overjoyed to hear the sweet sound
of this voice once again saying her name.

Think about how you like to hear your name pronounced by a loved one.
Now imagine God calling you by name. I mean really hearing with human ears your name spoken by God...perhaps at the time of our death.
Wonderful things can happen in a garden.

Mary, Full of Grace

The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

~~~ Is. 7: 10-14, 8:10 ~~~ Psalm 40 ~~~ Hebrews 10: 4-10 ~~~ Luke 1: 26-38 ~~~

Mary, as young as she was, said 'yes, Lord' and never looked back. She never had another thought after her visit from the angel Gabriel. She trusted that God did indeed had found favor with her. With the grace of God she was able to lay aside her fears quiet her mind. She fully embraced this revelation with her heart and soul. She eagerly goes to share her exciting news with Elizabeth, from whom she will also receive confirmation and comfort.

God had become weary from numerous requests to show his signs, but now there would be an incontrovertible sign...two unique remarkable pregnancies. The prophet Isaiah foretells of this great sign: "the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel, which means 'God is with us!'"

The psalmist sings out "Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will."

Mary was given 'ears open to obedience'...doing the will of God was already
written upon her heart...her God truly was her delight.

Her magnificat was her belief in the kindness and truth of God's promises.

Mary prayed fervently and surrendered totally to the will of God.

In her humility, Mary, was shocked by the angel Gabriel's greeting to her...
"Hail full of grace! The Lord is with you."

The days of Mary's life leading up to this profound announcement must have been filled with loving God. Her soul was being made ready to accept each day as she learned and listened from the words of the prophets. She had probably already committed herself to being a handmaid of her God she heard the voice of the angel.

If today YOU hear his voice harden not your hearts.
Be ready to say, 'Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.'