Easter: Day 2

Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping. As she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been. They asked her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”

She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they have laid him.” As she said this, she turned and saw Jesus standing there, but didn’t know it was him.

Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?”

Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will go get him.”

Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She went to him and said, “Rabboni!” which is to say, “Teacher!”

Jesus said to her, “Don’t hold on to me, for I haven’t yet ascended to my Father, but go to the others, and tell them I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”

Mary went to the disciples and told them she had seen the Lord, and he had said these things to her. 

While this was happening, the guards went into the city, and told the chief priests what had happened. When they had met with the elders for advice, they gave a large amount of silver to the soldiers, saying, “Tell everyone his disciples came by night and stole his body while you slept. If this comes to the governor’s ears, we will exonerate you.” The soldiers took the money and did as they were told. This saying was spread abroad among the Jews, and continues to this day.

Reflection

 

The resurrected Jesus wasn’t recognizable at first. Only when Jesus called her by name did Mary know who he was. What would it mean for Jesus to call you by name today? Can there be an intimate connection even if there is no audible voice? 

Prayer: Thank you for your still, small voice, Lord, speaking my name and telling me of your love.