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.”
REFLECTION:
Why did Mary Magdalene fail to recognize Jesus in the Gospel reading?
Some say that it was probably because what Mary had seen was the glorified body of the resurrected Jesus. But if that were the case,
why would she think he was a mere gardener? Is it possible that the reason might be much simpler?
Perhaps she had been weeping and tears had clouded her vision. Whatever the reason might be,
it was Jesus’ calling her name that allowed Mary to finally recognize that it was her friend and master that was before her.
There’s a beautiful line from Isaiah that says, “"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” (Is. 43:1)
It is most heartwarming to note that it was Jesus’ calling Mary by her name – with the voice with which she had heard him speak and say her name many times in the past – that drew her out of her grief and her pain.
There was a familiarity to it that was assuring, calming, consoling. God knows each of us by name and loves us just for who we are.
And we must rest in that love, especially during moments when we find ourselves, like Mary, overcome by the difficulties and hardships of life.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2020