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John 20:11-18
But Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,”* which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and what he told her.
Grace Prayed For
Deepening Love for Jesus: Like Mary Magdalene, may we be filled with such a profound love for Jesus that our grief at his absence becomes a catalyst for seeking him with all our hearts.
From Grief to Joy: Mary Magdalene’s Encounter with the Risen Christ
This poignant passage from John’s Gospel offers us a glimpse into Mary Magdalene’s profound grief and her transformative encounter with the resurrected Jesus. As she weeps outside the empty tomb, consumed by sorrow and confusion, two angels inquire about her tears. Her response, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him,” reveals the depth of her love and her desperate longing for Jesus.
In her anguish, Mary mistakes the risen Jesus for the gardener, highlighting the profound disorientation that grief can bring. Yet, it’s in this moment of misunderstanding that Jesus reveals himself to her. He calls her name, “Mary!”, and her recognition is immediate. She responds with the Hebrew word “Rabbouni,” meaning Teacher, expressing her deep reverence and love for him.
Jesus then instructs Mary to let go of him and share the good news of his resurrection with the disciples. He reveals his divine identity, calling God both “my Father and your Father,” uniting himself with humanity and inviting us into a deeper relationship with the divine.
This passage offers us several powerful lessons:
- The Power of Grief: Mary Magdalene’s tears are not a sign of weakness but a testament to her profound love for Jesus. Grief is a natural response to loss, and it’s okay to allow ourselves to feel the pain of separation.
- The Recognition of Jesus: Even in our darkest moments, Jesus is present. He calls us by name, seeking to reveal himself to us and offer comfort and hope.
- The Mission of Witness: Mary Magdalene becomes the first apostle of the Resurrection, commissioned to share the good news with others. Our own encounters with the risen Christ should also inspire us to proclaim his love and mercy to the world.
- The Divine Identity of Jesus: Jesus reveals himself as both human and divine, the Son of God who has come to redeem us. This revelation deepens our understanding of God’s love and our own identity as beloved children of God.
May we, like Mary Magdalene, encounter the risen Christ in our own lives. May our grief be transformed into joy, our confusion into clarity, and our despair into hope. And may we be empowered to share the Good News of the Resurrection with all those we meet.
Growing in Intimacy with Jesus
Embracing Vulnerability: The disciples’ initial confusion and fear mirror our own struggles with doubt and uncertainty. This passage reminds us that it’s okay to be vulnerable with Jesus and bring our questions and anxieties to Him. He welcomes us as we are, even in our moments of weakness.
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post