Mary Magdalene discover the Risen One

"On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb in the morning ... and she sees the stone removed from the entrance to the tomb ... She runs [to the disciples] and says to them : The Lord has been removed from the tomb, and we do not know where we put it ..."

"But Mary was standing by the tomb, outside, and weeping ... Jesus said to her : Mary ! She, turning around, said to him in Hebrew : Rabboni (which means : master) !" John 20. 1, 2, 11, 16

By remaining near the tomb when it was empty, Mary manifests her love for Jesus, the one who delivered her from a demonic possession (Luke 8: 2). We understand her attachment to Jesus and his sadness after his death : he became interested in her, he gave him dignity and freedom.

This story reported by the Apostle John presents a double interest for us:

- an extraordinary testimony of the resurrection of Jesus,

- the moving discovery of the resurrected Jesus' love for the one who faithfully followed it.

This testimony is eloquent : what could be more grandiose than to meet alive, in the garden near the tomb, the one who had died crucified ? Mary's attachment to Jesus allowed her to live this extraordinary scene.

Jesus' attitude towards Mary gives us an example of his unconditional love, because Mary is still forgetful! Indeed, the angels had already recalled : "Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee ... that he [resurrected] the third day" (Luke 24. 6, 7). So Mary is full of love for her Lord and at the same time she forgets her promises (it happens to us too!), And that leads her to doubt. Jesus then takes the trouble to meet her in the garden near the tomb, to speak to her heart. The intonation of her voice makes her react, she recognizes it: it is not the gardener, it is Jesus himself! Jesus then charged with a great mission : to announce to the disciples his resurrection and especially a new relationship between God and men. His disciples are now his brothers and he places them in his own relationships with God his Father : "Go to my brethren and say unto them, I ascend to my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God" (v. 17). ).

It is this close relationship that we are called to live.

Source (Pleasing the Lord)