Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: April 2, 2024

Date:   Tuesday in the Octave of Easter

Scripture Text:  John 20:11-18

Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been. And 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.”

When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus 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.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher. Jesus 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.’”

Mary went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and then reported what he had told her.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

Today’s gospel reading again recounts Mary Magdalene’s encounter with the risen Christ, this time as recounted in the Gospel of John. She did not recognize the Risen Christ initially, it was only when He called her name that she realized who He was. He shared with her that He was to ascend to the Father, but first, wanted her to go tell the others the Good News of His resurrection.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I recognize the LORD when the LORD speaks to me? Do I go where the LORD sends

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, You sent your only-begotten and beloved Son to assume our human nature, to dwell among us, to reveal your unfathomable love for us through His teachings and example, and to selflessly offer himself upon a cross in atonement for our sins. He who is sinless died upon that cross for our sins. We celebrate the salvation from You, through Jesus Christ, in the Spirit realized in Jesus’ life, passion, death, and resurrection. May the Spirit flood our minds and hearts with gratitude for what has been and desire for what can be because of your great love. Grant that we may pick up our own crosses and follow in Jesus’ footsteps and become the daughters and sons we are created to be and the disciples we are called to be. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.