one at the head, and the other at the feet. They said, “Woman, why are you weeping?”
She answered, “Because they have taken my Lord and I don’t know where they have put him.”
As she said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not
recognize him. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking
for?” She thought it was the gardener and answered him, “Sir, if you have taken him
away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and take him away.”
Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned, and said to him, “Rabboni!”—which means
Master. Jesus said to her, “Do not touch 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, who is
your Father, to my God, who is your God.” So Mary of Magdala went and announced
to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord, and this is what he said to me.”
Reflect
Mary comes to the tomb, exhausted by days of mind-numbing grief. But she wants to anoint
Jesus’ body, a final act of kindness for the one she loved. Her grief and anxiety only intensify
when she realizes that Jesus’ body is missing, and no one can tell her where it is.
But everything changes with one word: Mary. Jesus calls her by name. He sees her; he knows
her; he invites her to witness to his resurrection. So much love is contained in that single word!
In Baptism, Jesus calls each of us by name as well. Each of us is called and conformed to
Christ as priest. prophet, and king. As priests, we are called to pursue holiness in prayer and
sacrament, and by living according to God’s commandments. As prophets, we are called to
witness to Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, sharing this good news. As kings, we are called
to lead as Jesus led, by offering our lives in humble service. How is God calling you today?
© Copyright Bible Diary 2023