The Appearance to Mary of Magdala

Today's Reflections 

 

The Appearance to Mary of Magdala

Jn 20:1-2, 11-18

¹On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. ²So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.”

¹¹Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb ¹²and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the body of Jesus had been. ¹³And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.” ¹⁴When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. ¹⁵Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.” ¹⁶Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher. ¹⁷Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” ¹⁸Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and what he told her.

I HAVE SEEN THE LORD. The Gospel presents Jesus’ personal appearance to Mary Magdalene who sends her to tell the disciples that he is risen from the dead. Mary is then rightly called “the apostle to the apostles,” as she is sent (apostle means “one sent”) to witness to Jesus’ resurrection.

In finding the tomb empty and the body of Jesus gone, Mary is overwhelmed with grief. But she hears the Good Shepherd calling her by name. She recognizes Jesus with the “insight” of faith and love. Jesus is now in the glory of God and cannot be recognized by physical sight. He has to reveal himself to the chosen ones. There is much grace and privilege, therefore, in Mary’s exclamation, “I have seen the Lord!” At the same time, this carries the mission of proclaiming and giving witness. And Mary tells the disciples exactly what Jesus has told her.

Who is Mary Magdalene for you?

What special grace do you ask the Lord

through her intercession?