The first Post-Resurrection Appearance of Our Lord was to His Mother!

Started by Xavier, April 12, 2020, 11:32:51 AM

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Xavier

Rev. Father Dom Gueranger justly says: ""The Gospel does not relate the apparition thus made by Jesus to his Mother, whereas all the others are fully described. It is not difficult to assign the reason. The other apparitions were intended as proofs of the Resurrection; this to Mary was dictated by the tender love borne to her by her Son. Both nature and grace required that His first visit should be to such a Mother, and christian hearts dwell with delight on the meditation of the mystery. There was no need of its being mentioned in the Gospel; the Tradition of the Holy Fathers, beginning with St. Ambrose, bears sufficient testimony to it; and even had they been silent, our hearts would have told it us.

"And why was it that our Saviour rose from the Tomb so early on the Day He had fixed for His Resurrection? It was, because His filial love was impatient to satisfy the vehement longings of his dearest and most afflicted Mother. Such is the teaching of many pious and learned Writers; and who that knows aught of Jesus and Mary could refuse to accept it?" (from The Liturgical Year, vol. 7, "Easter Sunday: Morning")

Pope John Paul II said: "Blessed John Paul II adds, "The unique and special nature of the presence of the Virgin at Calvary and her perfect union with the Son in his suffering on the Cross, seem to postulate a very particular participation on her part in the mystery of the Resurrection. [The Mother of God] was probably also a privileged witness to the Resurrection of Christ, in this way completing her participation in all the essential moments of the paschal mystery. Embracing the risen Jesus, Mary is, in addition, a sign and anticipation of humanity, which hopes to reach its fulfillment in the resurrection of the dead ... Could not the absence of Mary from the group of women who approached the tomb at dawn constitute an indication that she had already met Jesus?" (John Paul II, 21 May 1997)

From: http://thecatholictalks.com/artspeaks_post.asp?id=10 "Christ Appearing to his Mother

The painting describes Jesus appearing to his mother right after the Resurrection. It reflects the non-dogmatic consensus by theologians that Jesus appeared to his mother before appearing to anyone else. While it is quite a controversial topic, it would be interesting to dwell on its merits.

In the painting, Christ appears to Mary, his mother, immediately after his Resurrection (which we can see through the double doors behind them). The poses of Jesus and Mary remind us of the traditional poses of Gabriel and Mary in the Annunciation paintings. There are words found at the border of Mary's cloak that come from the Magnificat. Above them, on the arch are sculpted scenes from Mary's life. St. Mark the evangelist stands on the pedestal on the left (because a lion – the symbol of Mark is beside him) while St. Paul with his sword (because he said the Word of God is like a sword) stand on the pedestal on their right. The columns behind them have sculpted scenes showing typology of Christ's victory over death. They are David's victory over Goliath on the left, and Samson and the Lion, and Samson carrying the Gates of Gaza on the right. On the apex above, an angel carries a banner that reads: "This woman persevered, conquering all; therefore a crown was given unto her.(Revelation 6:1)"1

Although an old manuscript entitled Meditationes de Vita Christi (supposedly written by St. Bonaventure in 1478) mentions the appearance of the Resurrected Christ to his mother, it was never recorded in Scripture. Theologians point out that the intention of the Gospels is to prove Jesus was Christ and that he resurrected from the dead. Including a personal appearance to his mother would not have strengthened that case because there were no witnesses, thus, we can imagine it was excluded:

The Gospel does not relate the apparition thus made by Jesus to his Mother, whereas all the others are fully described. It is not difficult to assign the reason. The other apparitions were intended as proofs of the Resurrection; this to Mary was dictated by the tender love borne to her by her Son. Both nature and grace required that His first visit should be to such a Mother, and Christian hearts dwell with delight on the meditation of the mystery. There was no need of its being mentioned in the Gospel; the Tradition of the Holy Fathers, beginning with St. Ambrose, bears sufficient testimony to it; and even had they been silent, our hearts would have told it us.
(Dom Gueranger, the Liturgical Year)

As mentioned by Dom Guarenger, St. Ambrose who lived in between 340 and 397 A.D. already believed Jesus appeared to his mother. Tracing this even backwards, the earliest Church Father to accept this was St. Ignatius of Antioch who lived from 35 to 110 A.D. – just one generation from Christ – who was friends with St. Peter and St. John the apostle. Other writers along the years continue to accept this 2 and we find evidence of this in the naming of chapels, for example.  In the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, there was a chapel dedicated to Jesus' Apparition to his Mother. These were recorded by Daniel the Traveller (aka Daniel of Kiev), during his pilgrimage from 1106 to 1108. As another example, St. Mary's Church, an Anglican Church in Fairford, Gloucester, UK, was built starting the 11th century and is known for its stained glass. One of them shows Christ appearing to his mother after the Resurrection.

It has even ingrained itself into the religious culture of some churches. For example, in the early dawn of Easter Sunday, a re-enactment of the Risen Jesus meeting his mother is still performed today in the Philippines. It is called the salubong, which means"welcome encounter." There are at least three figures in this reenactment: Christ, Mary, and an angel. Other women mentioned in the Gospels are included depending on which province it is performed. Except for the angel that must be human, all characters are usually statues carried about by people. Mary is dressed in black with a (black) veil covering her eyes. Two processions start from different places: one with Christ, and the other with Mary (and the other women). The separate parades come closer together until they meet. The angel, usually suspended by a harness, is then lowered and removes the veil of Mary, symbolizing the end of her grief when she finally sees her resurrected son. To further emphasize this joy, the black dress of Mary is usually turned inside-out to reveal a resplendent shimmering gold gown."

Bible verses on walking blamelessly with God, after being forgiven from our former sins. Some verses here: https://dailyverses.net/blameless

"[2] He that walketh without blemish, and worketh justice:[3] He that speaketh truth in his heart, who hath not used deceit in his tongue: Nor hath done evil to his neighbour: nor taken up a reproach against his neighbours.(Psalm 14)

"[2] For in many things we all offend. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man."(James 3)

"[14] And do ye all things without murmurings and hesitations; [15] That you may be blameless, and sincere children of God, without reproof, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation; among whom you shine as lights in the world." (Phil 2:14-15)