Joseph of Arimathea

Today I meditated on Joseph of Arimathea. Now, I had already thought about him when I meditated on the childhood of Jesus so I could already picture him in my mind. He was now 20 years older than I last saw him but he wasn't very young back then either. He is about 80 or so, thick, wavy, grey hair. He wears a head covering, nice clothing, showing him as a respectable rabbi. I imagine that he was the one who owned the house with the famous "Upper Room" where Jesus held His Last Passover meal with His Apostles.

Today (in my meditation) it is Easter Sunday morning just as the sun is peaking over the horizon. I see Joseph sitting at his table meditating as he holds the precious Vessel that just days ago held the Sacramental Blood of Jesus. He is pondering the events of the last few days, going over and over them in his mind: how he had met with Jesus and arranged the details of the Holy Meal; how he prepared the table in the Upper Room, spreading the large linen over it and setting it with the Holy Vessels placed in his care all these years (the Chalice and Paten were the golden gifts of the "Arabian Wiseman"); how he had experienced the mystical "communion" with Jesus during the consecration (though he was not at the Lord's Supper, he, like Mary and Mary, had a spiritual communion as Jesus seemed to bi-locate and appear before him giving him His precious Body and Blood).

As he is caught up in his meditations, and as he holds the Precious Cup in his hands, his eyes catch site of a figure standing at a distance in front of him. It appears to be the silhouette of Jesus. Putting down the Cup he stands and focuses on the figure. "Jesus, my dearest Lord!" he says in a trembling voice. "Have you risen so soon, my Lord? Has it already been 3 days?" He starts to come to Jesus but he is old and slow. Jesus quickly makes His way to him with a great smile and a warm embrace for this dear old man, who apparently has been like a secret father to Jesus. The Lord's eyes are twinking with delight.

"My father, the carpenter, sends his greetings to you from heaven. He is most grateful to you for your care of Me and My Mother in these past years. He sends you much love and awaits your arrival with eagerness. I will be returning for you soon to bring you home with Me but there is still more for you to do before that. " This is consoling news for Joseph and he seems to savour this fatherly embrace until he is startled out of this most blissfull apparition by a knock on the door.

Outside, he thinks he hears muffled giggles and loud, squeaky whispers of women. Presently, a door behind him opens and the Blessed Mother comes out of Her room aglow with joy. Joseph's face is stained with tears and he seems flustered and happily confused. The Lovely Mother hurries to steady him and escorts him to the front door to greet the enthusiastic visitors. It is, of course, the Marys and Salome, their faces flushed from excitement and their eyes illuminating the room. A chorus of happy and giddy remarks burst from their lips at once. "Oh, dear Mother! We have seen your Son!!! He is a live and well!!!"

Mother Mary beams with delight, but not surprise. "And what has He told you, my dears?"

"He has sent us with a message for His brothers...." they begin to say, but She interrupts them with:

"Well then, quickly! Do as He has told you to do!" and She rushes them up the steps to the Upper Room.