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The Risen Lord Appears to Mary Magdalene

John 20:11-18 ( The Message): 11-13 But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. As she wept, she knelt to look into the tomb and saw two angels sitting there, dressed in white, one at the head, the other at the foot of where Jesus’ body had been laid. They said to her, “Woman, why do you weep?”
13-14 “They took my Master,” she said, “and I don’t know where they put him.” After she said this, she turned away and saw Jesus standing there. But she didn’t recognize him. 15 Jesus spoke to her, “Woman, why do you weep? Who are you looking for?”She, thinking that he was the gardener, said, “Sir, if you took him, tell me where you put him so I can care for him.” 16 Jesus said, “Mary.” Turning to face him, she said in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” meaning “Teacher!”
17 Jesus said, “Don’t cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I ascend to my Father and your Father, my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went, telling the news to the disciples: “I saw the Master!” And she told them everything he said to her.

When the first group encountered the empty tomb, they left quickly, hurrying here and there to tell everyone what they had seen, a stone rolled away, empty grave clothes, and Angels announcing a Resurrection. Mary however stayed behind, overcome by the shock and grief of perhaps another insult to the hope she had in Jesus, for to her, it appeared His tomb had been robbed – even of Jesus himself.

Who Mary of Magdala (a village of Galilee) was is lost to antiquity and ever-changing interpretations. However, the most important thing we should remember about her is her absolute devotion to Jesus. From listening to Jesus by the seashore, to following Him across Palestine, to the base of the Cross, to weeping outside the empty tomb, she never wavered from following Him. Others may have denied Him, gone into hiding or walked away, but not her, never.

So, faithful Mary stayed a little longer than the others to weep and mourn. However, because Mary stayed a little longer, she was able to hear from angels. Mary stayed a little longer and saw Jesus. Mary stayed a little longer and heard Jesus call her name. Mary stayed a little longer and received a mission; go tell them, ”I Am Risen, indeed!”

I read this passage and often wonder that if I stay a little longer at my prayers, if my devotionals were a bit more regular and focused, if I truly mourned my stumbles, weep, over my sins and opened my soul to God, what would I receive? What more could I learn from Jesus?

Mary stayed a little longer. Mary’s mourning was turned to joy, Mary’s despair was turned to hope, Mary’s sense that her life was lost was turned into one of mission – all in a few moments with Jesus. From that moment, Mary is often called the Apostle to the Apostles, the first to see the Risen Lord, and have her life changed in an instant.

So today, during this busy first week after Easter, linger a bit longer at the empty tomb, stay around to spend time with Jesus and listen. Listen for Him to call your name. Listen for Him to calm your fears, Listen for Him to resolve your doubts, Listen to Him to direct your next steps.

Peace. Phil Parsons

We adore You, O Christ and we praise You! Because by the Wood of the Cross and the Light of the Resurrection, You have redeemed the world!

A daily prayer -Catholic and Anglican – for the Via Lucis