Reflection on today’s Bible Reading (John 20:1-2, 11-18):
1Now on the first day of the week Mary Mag’dalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 11But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb; 12and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?” 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 take him away.” 16Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rab-bo’ni!” (which means Teacher). 17Jesus said to her, “Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” 18Mary Mag’dalene went and said to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.
GOSPEL REFLECTION FOR TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
In today’s devotional, we encounter one of the most profound and transformative events in the Christian faith—the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This narrative is deeply personal and intimate, highlighting Mary Magdalene’s journey from despair to joy.
Early Morning at the Tomb
“Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.'”
Mary Magdalene’s early visit to the tomb demonstrates her deep devotion to Jesus. Despite the darkness—both literal and metaphorical—she seeks Him, showing her unwavering love and commitment. Her immediate reaction to the empty tomb is one of panic and confusion, reflecting the raw and human emotions of grief. She fears that Jesus’ body has been taken, compounding her sorrow.
Encounter with the Risen Lord
“But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, ‘They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.’ When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom 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 take him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbouni!’ (which means Teacher).”
Mary’s sorrow is profound, but it sets the stage for a miraculous revelation. Her encounter with the angels highlights her deep despair, as even their presence does not immediately alleviate her grief. The pivotal moment occurs when Jesus Himself appears to her. Initially, she does not recognize Him, mistaking Him for the gardener. This moment of misrecognition is significant—it illustrates how grief and expectations can cloud our vision, preventing us from seeing the divine presence right before us.
The turning point is when Jesus calls her by name, “Mary.” This personal and intimate address breaks through her sorrow and confusion. It is in hearing her name that she recognizes Jesus. This moment underscores the importance of personal relationship with Christ; He knows us individually and calls us by name.
The Commission
“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.”‘ Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’; and she told them that he had said these things to her.”
Jesus’ instruction to Mary not to hold on to Him is profound. It signifies that His resurrection is not a return to the old way of life but the beginning of something new. His ascension to the Father marks a new phase in the relationship between God and humanity. Jesus commissions Mary to be the first witness of His resurrection, entrusting her with the message of His ascension. This commission is a powerful affirmation of her role and a testament to her faithfulness.
Mary’s proclamation, “I have seen the Lord,” is the first Easter message, marking the transition from despair to joy, from mourning to proclamation. Her encounter with the risen Christ transforms her into a witness of the resurrection, a role that all Christians are called to embrace.
Conclusion
As we reflect on today’s devotional, we are invited to consider our own encounters with the risen Lord. Like Mary, we may sometimes be overwhelmed by grief or blinded by our expectations. Yet, Jesus calls us by name, inviting us into a personal and transformative relationship with Him. We are called to recognize Him in our midst and to share the good news of His resurrection with others. May we, like Mary, move from sorrow to joy and become faithful witnesses of the risen Christ.
Today’s devotional emphasizes the personal and transformative nature of the resurrection encounter, encouraging readers to seek a deeper relationship with Jesus and to share the joy of His resurrection.
You may also want to read “366 Days of Compassion: One Year Catholic Devotional”.