Today’s Scripture Readings

Gospel Reading

NRSV

So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.’ Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went towards the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;

St John the Evangelist was a fast runner, it seems! But though he beats Peter to the tomb, he doesn’t enter; something makes him pause, while Peter barges in to see what has happened. This difference is suggestive: in the Church’s tradition, John is frequently associated with the contemplative life because of the deep theological reflections contained in his Gospel.

We sometimes confuse contemplation with inaction, as though the contemplative person is simply passive, so unworldly that he or she is reliant on others for everyday needs. John shows that this is not the case: when running is called for, he runs. But it’s in that moment of pause at the empty tomb that something else is revealed. Perhaps John sensed the presence of the divine in the early morning light about that vacant cavemouth; and like Moses before the burning bush, he waits.

This holding back is not due to simple fear. It is rather a sensitivity to the numinous, the divine; it’s an awareness that we cannot just force our way into deeper sight when entering the unknown. Our physical eyes must adjust to the dim lighting when entering a darkened room: so too, our minds must adjust to the seemingly obscure light of faith if our knowledge and love of God is to grow.

Even if we don’t think of ourselves as contemplatives, we all need to cultivate this capacity for awe and wonder in the presence of God, which is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit poured out in the Sacrament of Confirmation. In this Christmas season, now that the great feast itself is done, try to find some moments to pause in silence, like John, before the mystery of Christ’s presence.