Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: July 22, 2023

John 20:1-2, 11-18

On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So 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." Mary 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 Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and then reported what he told her.

Breaking the text open:

The gospel reading for today, Saturday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time and the observance of the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene, is the Easter account as recorded in the Gospel of John which features Mary Magdalene’s discovery of the empty tomb and her encounter with the risen Christ.

Mary Magdalene had been present at Jesus’ crucifixion, remaining by the cross, which speaks of her love for Jesus, her teacher. Since Jesus had died on Friday, with the Sabbath approaching at sunset on Friday, the women who customarily prepared the body for burial were unable to perform this task/labor. So, it makes sense that she would return to the tomb as early as possible after the Sabbath.

Mary Magdalene must have been very confused. She found the tomb empty. She encountered two angels. And then one whom she mistook for the gardener of the tombs area. It was only when Jesus called her name that she recognized him – through his voice – which suggests to us that the Risen Christ’s appearance was somewhat different. When she did recognize him, her response was to call Him “Teacher.”

Jesus’ words to her have to do with her desire for the Jesus whom she had followed all the way to Calvary, her teacher. Jesus’ words help her to see the more clearly the Risen Christ, Son of the Living LORD, her Savior. And when she went to the disciples to tell them of her encounter, she reported, “I have seen the Lord.” She became the first post resurrection apostle.

Meditating on the text:

Do I recognize the LORD’s call? Do I consider Jesus Christ not just my teacher but the beloved Son of God, my Savior? Do I seek my Savior when I am confused or in need?

Praying:

LORD, Jesus Christ, You have called me to be your disciple, to follow You and to obey your commandments, especially your commandment of love. Send your Spirit to illuminate my mind and transform my heart so that I might proclaim Your love to all whom I encounter through my words and through my deeds. Amen.