Daily Reflection – Mar 29, 2016
Tuesday 29 March 2016
First Reading: Acts 2:36-41
Responsorial Psalm:
The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord
Psalm 32(33):4-5, 18-20, 22
Gospel Reading: John 20:11-18
Today’s Note: Tuesday in the Octave of Easter
Gospel Reading:
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.
Reflection:
I have seen the Lord!
Mary Magdalene is not well understood. Sometimes she even gets a bad rap. However, she is the first to ‘proclaim the Paschal mystery’, the first to encounter Jesus in his rising. Today’s reading, which has Mary as its main character, tells that story. Whatever of her background, what is certainly clear is that she found deep friendship in the person of Jesus and a true teacher. Her cry out to him as she recognises him, ‘Rabbouni!’ (teacher) is a wonderful thing to contemplate. Where in our lives have we encountered unexpected grace like Mary Magdalene did that day? Perhaps you might think of those times where you recognised the light or rising of the Lord in your life, and contemplate with gratitude those unexpected appearances that heralded joy and grace.
