Let us enter now into the story of Mary Magdalene. She came in the darkness to weep for her friend, Jesus. And there, where Jesus lay, she saw the LIGHT.
We too, at Lourdes, have dared to look at our miseries, our limits, our suffering. When Jesus is present with his wounds, we can no longer hide our own: wounds in our hands, wounds in our legs, and above all wounds in our hearts. We cannot shut our eyes anymore, but we look differently, with love—and this changes everything.
Then Jesus speaks. He tells Magdalene: "Stop looking at the tomb. Come into the light. Look around you. Look at your brothers and sisters—they are everywhere, all over the world. Do not stay alone anymore. Gather your brothers and sisters as friends around you. And I, with my five wounds, will be in your midst!"
Now Jesus tells us his secret to proclaim everywhere: in America, in Africa, in Europe. A secret in three parts.
"I am alive, forever. You too are alive, forever.
What is best in you,
your heart,
will live forever,
like mine,
even though it is weak and wounded.
Life is your treasure. Be glad for this great treasure!"
"I go toward my Father.
I depart toward him who loves me.
He waits for me. He sees me drawing near.
My Father is your Father too.
He looks upon you with the same love he looks upon me.
He stands before those he loves, even if we cannot walk.
He sees our hearts: he finds them more beautiful than the brightest sun; he loves them. He needs them to be truly happy.
This is why he wants to live with us always."
"Now go! Tell my secret to everyone you know: to your father, your mother, your brothers, your sisters, your friends, those who weep, those who are full of health.
I have nourished you: I am in you.
Take my place.
Go and speak in my name, smile for me,
love in my place.
I need you: you are my witness.
You today, with your wounds, represent Jesus!
I entrust the world to you: it needs you.
The world cannot truly be beautiful without you.
what does it matter if our roads are made of shadows or of light if you hold my hand for me everything becomes prayer
Be the heart of the world,the wounded heart of God in the world to the ends
of the earth!"
Jean Charles THOMAS
Easter Monday, April 20, 1981
what does it matter
if our roads
are made of shadows
or of light
if you hold my hand
for me everything becomes prayer