Jesus said to her, 'Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, "I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God"' — the prohibition (mē mou haptou, present imperative negative) forbids clinging (haptō implies grasping, attachment) to the resurrection body. This command establishes the resurrection as transition to ascension, not permanent embodied return. Jesus' declaration of 'ascending' (ascends now, future perspective) indicates the Easter-Ascension event's unity. His address of disciples as 'brothers' marks the new familial status conferred by resurrection.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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