Tuesday in the Octave of Easter
I find that with the excitement of Easter and all the preparations, including the music involved with singing in the choir (which I love), I sometimes miss the opportunity to listen carefully and reflect on the Easter story. I don’t mean the overall theme of resurrection; that’s obvious and evident in the entire celebration. Rather, I mean, the actual gospel readings. So, I’m thankful that for a couple more days after Easter Sunday the gospel readings continue telling the story of that first early morning, each from a somewhat different perspective, allowing more time to reflect. And I especially appreciate today’s gospel passage from John (20:11-18) that continues with Mary Magdalene’s experience after the other disciples have left the place of the empty tomb.
John’s gospel passage from Easter Sunday morning omits the final line of when they (the other two disciples Mary Magdalene had told) had seen the empty tomb: “Then the disciples returned home” (20:10). I think this is noteworthy as today’s passage picks up where John left off, continuing that Mary did not return home, but remained outside the tomb “weeping.” And this is when she first encounters the risen Lord, whom she does not initially recognize.
Was it the shock of grief, finding the tomb empty and not knowing where Jesus’ beloved body had been moved to — or the tears blurring her vision — that kept her from initially mistaking Jesus for a Gardner? Perhaps some of both. But it is when Jesus speaks her name, “Mary!”, that she is able to recognize her beloved “Rabbouni.”
This is the Mary whom Luke’s gospel tells us Jesus had cured of seven demons, and who she, along with other women, traveled with and helped support out of her means. This Mary of Magdala had turned her life over to him, and now was faced with the shock of grief. Not only the grief of his death, but also someone seemingly taking the body of her Lord.
Why does Jesus not immediately call her name? He first asks, as if he doesn’t know, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Does he want to hear her intention/desire first? (Perhaps like a prayer, does Jesus want to hear from us although he already knows our heart’s desire?) And then he speaks her name, “Mary!” and she recognizes him in his recognition of her. In our humanity, we want to be known. Perhaps that is part of the Trinity as well. Being known. Being in relationship. This is where Mary recognizes Jesus, in being known by him.
As we continue in the liturgical Easter season, let us take time to speak our heart’s desires to the Risen One. Let us take time to listen to how we are known, by name, by the One who loves us enough to die for us. May we live as a people of the resurrection. Known and called by name.
~Eileen Miller