7th Sunday of Easter Year B - 20/5/2012 - Gospel: Mk 16, 15-20
Faceless men
Faceless man, who is he? He is a mysterious person. He is walking alongside us, he is with us and he is behind us. He knows us but we don't know him. We only hear his voice which is soft and gentle and those who listen to his voice find wisdom in his message. In the Bible when the faceless men appeared as individuals and other times in pairs. Each appearance they brought with them a message and their message would make tremendous impact on mankind. They have no message of their own but they were sent to announce messages.
The Gospel of Mathew recorded several accounts relating to the faceless men. They appeared at the account of the Virgin Birth and of the empty tomb. At the Virgin Birth account they told Joseph in his dream what to do. It appeared as a dream but it was very real that Joseph had no doubt to carry out the instruction. They told Joseph don't be afraid to take Mary home as his legal wife because she has gained God's favour and the baby she carried is special and designed by God. They again appeared to Joseph, also in his dream, telling him to bring Mary and Jesus to Egypt because King Herod was going to harm Jesus. When the situation was improving they told Joseph to return home.
The account of the empty tomb gives a clearer picture of the faceless men. They appeared in pair, wore white robes and in a broad daylight. The women went to the tomb on the first day of the week and they met the two men in white who told them
You must not be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here ; he has been raised, just as he said. Come here and see the place where he was lying. Go quickly now, and tell his disciples. He has been raised from death, and now he is going to Galilee ahead of you; there you will see him. Remember what I have told you Mat 28,5-7
The Apostles heard the voice of the faceless men again when they were fixing their eyes deep into the clear sky and the men questioned them
Why are you men from Galilee standing here looking into the sky? Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven, this same Jesus will come back in the same way as you have seen him go there Acts 1,10
The accounts of the faceless men confirm that there is another life mysteriously and actively working alongside each human life. Mary the mother of Jesus obeyed their voice; St Joseph the father of Jesus experienced it several times in his life; the prophets Simeon and Anna listened to their voice; the women at the empty tomb encountered them and the Apostles of Jesus heard their voice.
The faceless men are not conditioned by the human restrictions and limitations. We all believe that life is a mystery and yet not all listen to the voice of a faceless man in each one of us.
The Gospel of Mathew recorded several accounts relating to the faceless men. They appeared at the account of the Virgin Birth and of the empty tomb. At the Virgin Birth account they told Joseph in his dream what to do. It appeared as a dream but it was very real that Joseph had no doubt to carry out the instruction. They told Joseph don't be afraid to take Mary home as his legal wife because she has gained God's favour and the baby she carried is special and designed by God. They again appeared to Joseph, also in his dream, telling him to bring Mary and Jesus to Egypt because King Herod was going to harm Jesus. When the situation was improving they told Joseph to return home.
The account of the empty tomb gives a clearer picture of the faceless men. They appeared in pair, wore white robes and in a broad daylight. The women went to the tomb on the first day of the week and they met the two men in white who told them
You must not be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here ; he has been raised, just as he said. Come here and see the place where he was lying. Go quickly now, and tell his disciples. He has been raised from death, and now he is going to Galilee ahead of you; there you will see him. Remember what I have told you Mat 28,5-7
The Apostles heard the voice of the faceless men again when they were fixing their eyes deep into the clear sky and the men questioned them
Why are you men from Galilee standing here looking into the sky? Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven, this same Jesus will come back in the same way as you have seen him go there Acts 1,10
The accounts of the faceless men confirm that there is another life mysteriously and actively working alongside each human life. Mary the mother of Jesus obeyed their voice; St Joseph the father of Jesus experienced it several times in his life; the prophets Simeon and Anna listened to their voice; the women at the empty tomb encountered them and the Apostles of Jesus heard their voice.
The faceless men are not conditioned by the human restrictions and limitations. We all believe that life is a mystery and yet not all listen to the voice of a faceless man in each one of us.
Written by Fr Vũđình Tường
St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane Australia
St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane Australia