After that day, everything was different. The first disciples witnessed a dead man walking. Their lives would be forever changed, defined by “life before Easter” and life “life after Easter.” On numerous occasions, Jesus showed up in resurrected form before he ascended. In the season of Easter we will examine six “after Easter” encounters with Jesus. What did he say and do? In what practical ways does resurrection change my daily life? Nothing will ever be the same.
Invocation
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Invitation
Father, Almighty, you alone are God. I submit to your care. I ask for your help. Defend me. Open your arms to embrace me; through Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Confession
Father, I confess all my sins and failings to you.When discouraged, I lose heart. When blessed, I only want more.When criticized, I get angry.When tempted by pleasure, I give in.When challenged, I cower in fear. When commanded by you, I choose my own way instead of yours. Forgive me. I have done wrong.
Word
“Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’” (John 20:16)
Meditation
The words are so familiar, I can almost see them unfold in front of me. The garden, filled with strange shadows in the early morning light; the woman weeping, carrying her grief like the stone that was rolled away. She doesn’t care about the angels who question her. Maybe she doesn’t know they are angels, but maybe she does and still doesn’t care. She’s no stranger to miracles, after all. It’s not the loss of wonder that she grieves, it’s the man. They couldn’t even let his broken body, that last proof of his presence, rest in peace.
Next the gardener, she supposes, asks her why she is crying. Is it so strange to weep at a tomb? And then he says it.
“Mary.”
Her eyes are opened, and it is a revelation.
These verses speak so strongly to me because out of all of the astonishing events of the resurrection narrative—the stone rolled away, the missing body, the presence of angels—it is one word, a name, followed by the finality of a period that seems the most incredible. I can hear him say it—with warmth and strength and a gently teasing tone. It is like an embrace.
It’s the intimacy of the moment that catches my breath every time I read it. She knows him because he knows her. Her, the one who had seven demons. She, a woman in a place and time in which women’s voices were so often silent, was precious enough to carry the news to his disciples.
And this is Love. To be known completely, down to our demons, and still be treasured. To hear our names spoken in joy and have the beauty of the world and our place in it spectacularly revealed.
“Mary.”
I go through much of my life like Mary Magdalene at the tomb, so distracted by worry and busyness that I only see the world as I expect it to be rather than the world as it is. How often have I dismissed the signs of God’s presence all around me? And, yet, still he pulls me back to him, opens my eyes, time and time again, like he’s calling my name.
Benediction
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,for his steadfast love endures forever.Give thanks to the God of gods,for his steadfast love endures forever.Give thanks to the Lord of lords,for his steadfast love endures forever; (Ps. 136:1-3)