… Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher) … Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and she told them that he had said these things to her.
John 20:19-23
Consider:
A good habit to have when reading the Sacred Scriptures is placing ourselves in the sandals of our ancestors in the faith to understand the depth of the salvation God grants us through Jesus Christ. With that in mind, let’s consider Mary Magdalene’s thoughts as she walks to Christ’s tomb the morning of His resurrection.
I remember the moment I fell before you, splayed out in the weariness of my bondage, begging for mercy. You saw my bruises from the seven demons that assaulted me day and night, you heard my cries, and you exorcized those demons from me. Hope and joy instantly replaced my despair. I was a new woman! I loved you, I followed you; I believed your promises. You gave me a new name: Beloved. Oh, Jesus, now I’m bereft. You have forsaken me. I don’t know who I am anymore; I’ve forgotten my name.
The tomb is empty, and Mary’s despair has robbed her memory of Christ’s promise. Jesus stands nearby, waiting for Mary to look at him. He quietly calls to her, Mary! She turns and says to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbouni!’ (which means Teacher).
Despair does that to us, doesn’t it? It can creep into our lives slowly taking possession of us, causing us to forget who we are and who Christ is. Despair can happen in a catastrophic event that quakes the ground beneath us, threatening to destroy us. We have all been there, and still, we soldier on worshipping at mass after mass, confessing our sin confession after confession. We need to hear the word of Jesus: You are my beloved child, I have chosen you, I am with you, I am keeping my promise to you, I will never leave you or forsake you.
Pray:
Jesus, your Word reminds me that you knew me before I was born; in my mother’s womb, you named me. Would you remind me of that when despair begins to creep in? I want to know that my love for you is not in vain. When I have spent my last strength to seek you, help me to stay silent and listen for your Words of consolation– ‘You are my servant in whom I will be glorified.’ When I cry out to you, ‘I have labored in vain, and I have spent my strength for nothing in return,’ remind me that my name is inscribed on the palm of your hand, and recompense will come; you will never forget me! ~Amen (adapted Isaiah 49:1-5; 15-16)
Act:
We are a Resurrection people! Christ didn’t leave the Magdala in her despair on Resurrection morning, and he doesn’t leave us now, but all too often, we think our despair is ours to carry alone. The tomb you keep mourning is empty of your despair! Christ fought for hope when he conquered death, hell, and the grave. On this Easter Sunday, declare your faith in Our Risen Lord, put down your despair, and turn to follow Jesus to new life.
The Maiden Warrior 