Illustration: Brendan McCarthy
moved them to do so. Today, there is a lesson here for us too. We can encourage each other to be anchored, to sustain the joy and endure the messiness of our lives. No doubt we come in contact with people who are quick to react, who disagree out of a default mode, who want us to experience an inner confusion through their harsh questioning. Perhaps the next time this happens we can repeat the word ‘Jesus’ to ourselves, slowly, steadily and deeply. We might simply remember this gospel scene. Perhaps such images and thoughts will lead us to see the more humorous side of things with our brother or sister, and to encourage them to enter into a universal meditative joy.
What to take home from this contemplation: 1. The women experience a mixture of joy and fear in their mission to spread the Good News. 2. Like the previous contemplation, they support each other with love. 3. They are overwhelmed with joy on seeing the resurrected Jesus. 4. Jesus greets them and gives them his peace. 5. Jesus encourages them to enter a deeper level of meditative joy. 6. They experience this consolation and encourage it in the disciples. 7. We too can be anchored in Jesus in the midst of people who are difficult. 8. We can have a sense of humour and encourage meditative joy in others. 15