Being with Jesus

The Holy Spirit used the human instruments- Mathew, Mark, Luke and John to write the life and the teachings of Jesus Christ. In their unique human way they gave the narrations and hence their writings are not identical, though the underlying truth remains the same. St.Luke and St.John give long stories of the post resurrection appearances of Jesus whereas St.Mark gives a very brief account of the appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene, to the two disciples going to Emmaus and to the eleven in the closed room (Mk 16.9-15).

The unbelief of the disciples was shown clearly by all the four Gospel writers. They were neither able to witness to Christ nor proclaim Him because of this lack of conviction. It is in order to remove this doubt and to make them experience Him truly, that the Lord appeared to them and befriended them in different circumstances.

Unless we personally experience Jesus we cannot be His disciples and continue His mission. The foundation of evangelization is a personal encounter with Jesus. As Pope Benedict XVI has said: “The disciples were not just heralds of an idea, but witnesses of a person”.

St. Mark writes: Jesus “appointed the twelve to be with Him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message, and to have authority to cast out demons” (3.14,15). Seeing the boldness of Peter and John, the high Priests and the Sanhedrin realised that ‘they were with Jesus’(Acts 4.13). It is only by spending time with Jesus – in our personal prayer, Eucharistic Adoration, meditation of His Word, active participation in the Holy Eucharist….that we can come to experience Him more. The success, joy and fruitfulness of Christian life is in the living relationship with the living God.

Holy Spirit of God, help me to relish my times of prayer and deepen my relationship with my Lord. May I taste and see how good the Lord is and then help others to come to this experience.

Mary Pereira