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I am sure that somewhere in my reading of the Fathers that at least one of them writes that although Scripture is silent (or least not clear) on the matter, that it was meet that our Lord appeared to His mother, Mary, after His resurrection. I and a good friend are trying to find that patristic reference. If any of you can assist us in this endeavour, we'd much obliged!

Christ is risen!

Christ is Risen!

I don't know the reference, however I've heard a homily on it. In the Gospels, the "Mary the mother of James and Joses" is the Theotokos. Eastern tradition holds that James and Joses were St. Joseph's children from a previous marriage.

The commentator said that the divergences in the story in the four accounts are because they are looking a four different collections of snipetts from the full story. When you combine them, the story you get is that St. Mary Magdalene, after seeing the angels the first time, didn't understand them and only realized that the Master was gone. She runs to the Apostles, while the Theotokos and the other women stay behind. This is when Christ appears to them and they worship His feet (cf. Matthew?). St. Mary Magdalene comes back after Sts. Peter and John run to the tomb, and it is then that she starts to realize what has happened.

This is when Christ appears to St. Mary Magdalene. It also explains why He didn't let her touch him, even though the other women did; she didn't believe at first and ran away scared to the Apostles.

It's too long to go into all of it and I don't have my Bible handy, but this is the basic outline.

Justin

Father Michael,

I don't know of a patristic reference in the matter you mention. And it is true the scriptures are not clear on whether Jesus appeared to Mary after his resurrection. I have always thought that since Jesus appeared to the disciples, especially when he appeared to Thomas, that his mother would be there. It seems to me she would be present, especially since one assumes that John was present, and that they all needed to gather together after Jesus's death. He definitely appears to them and if she was among them I think he would be appearing to her too. Although scriptures do not say she was present they surely do not say she was absent either. I believe, in faith, she was there, but will be checking back here to see if anyone finds a patristic reference to this. It also makes sense she would have seen him at another time also - the ascension? Great question. Also interesting to ponder why the Gospel writers did not mention her presence.

Gratefully in Christ,

Porter aka Mary Jo

Mary Jo,

Christ is Risen!

Like I said above, the Gospel writers do reference her as being at the tomb on the First Day of the week with the other Myrrhbearing Women as Mary, the Mother of James and Joses, and elsewhere as "the other Mary". The reason for not naming her, according to what I've heard, is a matter of credibility. If I went around telling everyone my daughter was a genious or a saint, no one would believe me. So instead, the Sacred authors use primarily the witness of the other people there and downplay the Theotokos. Nevertheless, She was one of the women to whom Christ appeared and who worshipped his feet.

Justin

Fr. Michael,

Christ is Risen!

St. Gregory Palamas, in his sermon "On the Holy Myrrhbearers," speaks at length about Our Lord appearing to His mother first.

Priest Thomas

Thanks, Fr. Thomas et al.

Justin.

I was referring to the scriptures alone where I agree with Fr. Michael that it was not clear that the other Mary was the same Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Sorry I was not clear myself. It is good to know what the Eastern tradition holds. I am grateful for your post.


Blessings,

Porter.

Found it:

http://hocna.org/onthefaith/Palamas.htm

Homily of Saint Gregory Palamas
For the Sunday of
The Myrrhbearing Women
Home
(Gospel of Saint Mark 15:43-16:8)
Translated by Fr. Hierodeacon Photios Touloumes

Pani Rose,

Wonderful, just went to the website. I am saving it to file.


Gratefully yours,


Porter