by leaps and bounds
"Then the disciple who had arrived first at the tomb went in. He saw and believed." —John 20:8
"The other disciple (the one Jesus loved)" (Jn 20:2), not only ran to Jesus' tomb faster than Peter, but also believed faster. However, Mary Magdalene was faster than either Peter or John. She ran to them before they ran to the tomb (Jn 20:2). She was the first one mentioned by the Gospels as having met the risen Christ and having expressed faith in Him. We can have "fast faith" as Mary Magdalene did.
When we love someone, we want him or her to accept our love as soon as possible. Jesus is no different. He wants us to believe in His love for us right away. He wants us to grow in our love for Him in an accelerated way. He wants to deepen our love for Him very quickly in the next two weeks of the Christmas season.
Christmas celebrates the time when human beings could first touch, kiss, hold, feel, see, and hear Jesus physically (see 1 Jn 1:1-2). This physical contact with Jesus made possible a deep, personal relationship with Him. We did not lose this when Jesus physically ascended into heaven. By the Holy Spirit and through the Eucharist, we now have even greater opportunities for a close, personal relationship with Jesus! This Christmas season, grow quickly in a deep, intimate love for Jesus.
Prayer: Father, may my personal relationship with You through Jesus grow by leaps and bounds this Christmas season.
Promise: "Indeed, our purpose in writing you this is that our joy may be complete." —1 Jn 1:4
Praise: "It is the Lord!" (Jn 21:7)
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape Jesus' Incarnation on audio AV 52-3 or video V-52.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 17, 2008
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