“Go to my brothers and tell them,
‘I am going to my Father and your Father,
to my God and your God.'”
Mary went and announced to the disciples,
“I have seen the Lord,”
and then reported what he had told her. (Jn 20:17b-18)
We continue our celebration of Easter this day on Tuesday of the Octave of Easter. As we do so, we are given the Gospel account of Mary Magdalene finding the Risen Lord outside of the tomb. At first she thought that He was the gardener and she begged Him to tell her where they had taken the body of Jesus.
His call to her, “Mary!”, and her response, “Rabbouni”, were all that she needed to realize, recognize, and celebrate the Lord.
It is often that way in our own lives. We become so wrapped up in our own sorrows, our own joys, our own fears, our own doubts, that we fail to recognize the fact that the Lord is, indeed, present in our midst.
There are times that He comes to us and calls us by name, just as He did to Mary Magdalene outside of the tomb.
We have many tombs in our lives at which we stand outside. Some of us stand outside the tomb of death. Incurable illnesses consume our time. Some stand outside the tomb of despair. They cannot look ahead. Some stand outside the tomb of ridicule. They have become beaten down by the negative talk of others. Some stand outside the tomb of loneliness. They feel as if no one significant will ever enter their lives.
When we stand outside our own personal tombs, it is hard to see the Lord because we become all too consumed with our selves.
Jesus is standing there. Remember, He comes in many forms. He may be standing there in the form of a spouse, a best friend, a neighbor, or, even, a stranger.
Rest assured, He is calling your name this day. Have the courage to respond.
FAITH ACTION: We often find it difficult to announce the Good News of the Lord. Yet, we are an Easter people. Let us, as did Mary Magdalene, go forth into our world and not be afraid to speak about the Lord.