Easter Sunday: The Resurrection of the Lord, Mass of the
Day
(Acts 10:37–43; Colossians 3:1–4; John 20:1–9)
Who is “the other disciple” who believes in Jesus’
resurrection before anyone else? Biblical scholars do not agree on his
identity. For centuries, the common opinion was that “the beloved disciple,” as
he is called, is John, the son of Zebedee. But now some scholars ask why his
name is not given, since he is one of the most prominent disciples in the other
Gospels.
Some experts today have proposed an interesting answer to
this question. They say that he is Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead. We
recall that the Gospel says Jesus loved Lazarus along with his sisters.
However, it seems strange that the evangelist would call him by name in the
story of his resurrection and then refer to him only as “the other disciple” or
“the disciple whom Jesus loved” throughout the rest of the Gospel.
One of the most perceptive biblical commentators of the last
century offered another solution. He said that “the disciple whom Jesus loved”
is indeed a disciple, but not one of the Twelve Apostles. This scholar wrote
that the Beloved Disciple did not have the prominence in the early Church that
Peter and John had. Nevertheless, he left his testimony to the Christian
community that produced the Gospel according to John.
We tend to think that the Beloved Disciple reaches Jesus’
tomb before Peter because he is younger. But the Gospel never describes him as
young. Is it not possible that he arrives first because of his great love for
Jesus? This love is shown in his closeness to the Lord at the Last Supper.
It is said that love is blind. This may be true of romantic
love. Romantic lovers often overlook one another’s faults to satisfy their burning
desire. However, the love that matters most—the love that seeks the good of the
other without expecting anything in return—is not blind. On the contrary, this
love, with which God loves us, sees in the beloved virtues that not everyone
can see.
Roberto and Priscila Colby had been married for nearly fifty
years when Priscila developed Alzheimer’s disease. Roberto had to care for her,
a task he carried out with dedication. He said that he loved Priscila even more
than on their wedding day. He credited her with the good upbringing of their
three children. He recalled that when their youngest daughter began getting
into trouble, Priscila recognized that the root of her difficulties was the
company she kept. She then forbade her from going out with that group of
friends. Naturally, the girl resented her mother, but in time she earned a
doctorate and worked at a leading research university.
The Beloved Disciple values Jesus with this same kind of
love. He recognizes Jesus as the best of all men and, indeed, as the Son of
God. He is willing to sacrifice himself for the Lord by being the only male
disciple present with the women at the foot of the cross. Because of this great
love, he does not hesitate when he sees the empty tomb and the folded cloths to
believe that Jesus has risen as He said
He would. He does not need to see the risen Lord to believe, as Mary Magdalene
and Peter do.
This love has been poured into our hearts through Baptism.
We believe that the Lord Jesus has risen without having seen Him. Let us not
allow our love for Jesus to remain only at the level of belief. Rather, let us
sacrifice ourselves for others, so that they too may believe and have eternal
life.
