Matthew 28: Wonderfully Made
Corpus Christi Sunday, June 22, 2025
The truly wonderful part of the resurrection story is that we are a part of it. This event is not only something that happened two thousand and some years ago. This story is really about conversion. And conversion takes place constantly not only within our own hearts, but it also happens all around us. For this reason we can sing Psalm 139 that was part of today’s Mass readings: We praise God, for we are wonderfully made.
Jesus’ resurrection is not only his own returning to the Father, it is also our return to the Father (John 17), and so . . . We praise God, for we are wonderfully made.
The guards at the tomb are entirely astonished, not knowing how Jesus’ body was removed from under their noses; but we know . . . and so . . . We praise God, for we are wonderfully made.
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary discover the empty tomb and believe that the Lord’s body has been stolen. The angel tells them: Do not be afraid and so . . . We praise God, for we are wonderfully made.
They run away quickly, fearful yet overjoyed . . . as are we and so . . . We praise God, for we are wonderfully made.
Jesus meets them as they return with the other disciples and they all fall to their knees . . . as do we . . . and so . . . We praise God, for we are wonderfully made.
The disciples gather in fear and joy in Galilee. They worship him, but still they doubt. Somewhere deep inside we see ourselves in Christ and worry that we may be lacking; yet still we find the courage to say . . . We praise God, for we are wonderfully made.
Uncertainty, anxiety, shame and fear. Jesus recognizes all of these in us and still he chooses to suffer and die so that we might be with him. If nothing else within us tells us that we are special, this story should. If nothing else around us affirms our goodness and holiness, this story should.
Hope, joy, courage and patience. Jesus recognizes all of these in us and for this reason he chooses to suffer and die because he wants to be with us. If nothing else within us tells us that we are special, this story should. If no one else around us affirms our worth and our purpose, this story should.
We are wonderfully made . . . we are made to love and be loved . . . we are in God’s image . . . we are sisters and brothers of the risen Lord. We are fear-filled and awestruck at God’s power. We are overjoyed and hopeful at God’s presence. And so . . . We praise God, for we are wonderfully made . . . and wonderfully loved.
Image from: https://www.kelliworrall.com/2017/04/16/at-the-empty-tomb/
The Noontimes 