Homily Friday in the Octave of Easter (Jn. 21:14) “Go Back to Galilee”
Homily Friday in the Octave of Easter (Jn. 21:14) “Go Back to Galilee”
We have several incongruities in the resurrection stories of Jesus. One of them revolves around where the apostles were supposed to wait for Jesus. On the one hand, we get a sense that the disciples of Jesus were to wait for Jesus in Jerusalem. We have stories of the Apostles meeting the risen Jesus in the upper room, presumably where the Last Supper took place.
We also have a sense that the apostles were supposed to go back to Galilee to wait for Jesus after his resurrection. In the Gospel of Mark, the women who go to the tomb are told in 16:7, “He is going ahead of you to Galilee, where you will see him just as he told you.” Why were the disciples to go to Galilee?
Galilee was a symbolic place. It was the place where Jesus started his ministry. Galilee was the place where Jesus first called disciples to follow him. Some of his greatest miracles were performed there. Also, it was the site of his sermon on the mount.
What was Jesus saying when he ordered his disciples back to Galilee. He was saying, “Go back to where it all began, if you want to understand everything that has just happened.” The disciples now needed to put the lessons that had learned from Jesus in Galilee into practice.
Sometimes a good spiritual exercise for us is to look back on the experiences that led us to believe in Jesus. What were the events that introduced us to the Lord? Who were the Christians who inspired us? What were the words that inspired us? When we are confused, this is a wonderful meditation to engage in. Jesus’ disciples were able to piece their course of action together after the resurrection by going back to Galilee.
Reflection Questions:
- Where did I meet Jesus for the first time? What was the place that I would call my Galilee?
- How did the disciples recognize Jesus? Where do I see him?
Dear Parishioners,
Tomorrow our second graders will be taking a couple hours of reflection to prepare for their First Communion. The children are prayerfully preparing. Please offer a prayer for them in the days ahead that they may grow in faith as they approach the Eucharistic table.
I would remind people again, that we have moved First Communion from the 11 a.m. Mass on the first two weeks of May to a special Mass on those first two Sundays. I appreciate everyone’s understanding. As of now, all protocols are still in place. We are at a critical point in battling the pandemic. We need to be careful.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over you today.
Fr. Mark