"The other disciple (the one Jesus loved)" (Jn 20:2), not only ran to Jesus' tomb faster than Peter, but also believed faster. However, St. Mary Magdalene was faster than both Sts. Peter and John. She ran to them before they ran to the tomb (Jn 20:2). She was the first one mentioned by the Gospels as having met the risen Christ and expressed faith in Him. We can have "fast faith" as Mary Magdalene did.
When we love someone, we want her/him to accept our love as soon as possible. Jesus is no different. He wants us to believe in His love for us right away. He wants us to grow in our love for Him in an accelerated way. He wants to deepen our love for Him very quickly in the next two weeks of the Christmas season.
Christmas celebrates when human beings could touch, kiss, hold, feel, see, and hear Jesus physically (see 1 Jn 1:1-2). This physical contact with Jesus made possible a deep, personal relationship with Him. We did not lose this when Jesus physically ascended into heaven. By the Holy Spirit and through the Eucharist, we now have even greater opportunities for a close, personal relationship with Jesus. This Christmas season, grow quickly in a deep, intimate love for Jesus.
| PRAYER: | Father, may my personal relationship with You through Jesus grow by leaps and bounds this Christmas season. |
| PROMISE: | "Indeed, our purpose in writing you this is that our joy may be complete." –1 Jn 1:4 |
| PRAISE: | St. John's love for Christ overtook fear (1 Jn 4:18) as he received the grace to stand at the foot of the cross and was able to share in the Good News of Jesus' resurrection. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College