We can not make anyone believe. If we think back to times when we believed someone’s testimony and when we doubted it, we can see that many factors have come into play. The witness’s credibility is essential, but our openness to receive is even more so. As we go through life and accumulate experiences, we adjust our vulnerability to certain things. No one likes to be deceived.

One of the experiences that can, at least temporarily, close or harden our hearts is grief. When we are up against the limits of our tolerance to pain, we naturally close up to try to protect ourselves. We are not able to deal with the possibility of being deceived. This is where the eleven are when Mary Magdalene comes in: (They) were mourning and weeping. When they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe. (Mark 16:10-11)

One would think they would be overjoyed, that they would remember the words Jesus had spoken to them – that they would remember when they saw him transfigured in Mount Tabor, but they were overcome by grief. Then, the two disciples who met Jesus on the road to Emmaus came, and they still did not believe. It was not until Jesus showed up and rebuked them that their hearts softened, and they were ready to receive.

I imagine there were many tears. I can imagine this because that is how my heart responded to the loving rebuke of Jesus. The grace of repentance transformed tears of grief and mourning into joy and resurrection.

In sacramental confession, I have encountered the risen Christ and been invited once again to the Eucharistic table. This is my testimony. Do you believe it?

Let us pray:

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this, our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus: O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.