Mary Magdalene

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Mary Magdalene

Encounter      Rabbouni

Recognize     See     Believe

Announce To The Disciples

Resurrection

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   John 20: 11 to 18

Mary Magdalene was outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she looked into the tomb and realized that there were two angels in white sitting there, one by the head and one by the feet where the Body of Jesus had been.

They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?'

She replied, "They have taken the Body of Jesus and I don't know where they have placed it."

As she was speaking, she turned around and saw Jesus there; but she did not recognize Him. 

Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you trying to find?"

She was thinking that this could be the gardener and said to Him, "Sir, if you took His body, please tell me where you placed it, and I will go get it."

Jesus replied, "Mary!"

She turned to Him and said in Hebrew, "Rabbouni," which means Teacher.

Jesus said, "Stop clinging to Me. I have not yet gone to the Father. Go tell the brothers, 'I am going to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.'"

Mary went right away to the brothers and told them, "I have seen Jesus," and then told them all that Jesus had said.

Reflection

What an amazing encounter Mary Magdalene had!

She went quickly from weeping to rejoicing. Such a range of emotions so quickly.

Probably most of us in this situation would think just as Mary did. We would jump to the conclusion that someone took the Body of Jesus.

Mary loved Jesus very much and must have found it very difficult to see Him crucified. Such a cruel death for a wonderful friend who was innocent of any crime.

She was so overwhelmed with her grief that she did not even recognize Jesus at first. Again we can relate because when we are mourning, it is easy to be blinded to what is going on in the world around us. We can even get upset that everyone seems to be continuing with life as usual when we are in such deep pain.

It all changes when Jesus says her name. She recognizes the Teacher. Mary truly believes that Jesus is risen. 

Her grieving is gone. She is so overcome with joy that she hugs Jesus. Her happiness overflows!

Jesus commissions Mary to tell the brothers the Good News. What a special mission.

We are also called to share that Good News. By our words and, even more importantly, by our actions we can let everyone we meet know that Jesus is Risen. 

He is Risen indeed! Alleluia!

1. Why do you think that Mary did not recognize Jesus at first?

2. Do you ever feel that Jesus is calling your name?

3. How can you tell other people that Jesus is Risen?

4. What do you feel as you look at Kathy's photo?