4/11/2023 (Tuesday) Today’s gospel reading: John 20:11-18

11 Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb
12 and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been.
13 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.”
14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus.
15 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.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher.
17 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.’”
18 Mary went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and then reported what he had told her.

4/11/2023 (Tuesday) Today’s gospel reflection: John 20:11-18

The gospel reading above tells us that Mary of Magdala did not recognize Jesus at once. Even His disciples on the road to Emmaus did not recognize Him while they were on the road. For Mary, she got to recognize Jesus when she heard Him calling her name. Then Jesus tells Mary to stop holding on to Him for He has not yet ascended to His Father in heaven.

Perhaps Mary was so much in grief and while weeping, tears filled her eyes making her unable to see Jesus clearly. The more meaningful conclusion is that the resurrected body of Jesus is not the same as before His death. Think of His appearance here and there without any indication of walking or travelling. He even entered the room of His disciples though it was locked.

It could also be said that Mary was so absorbed or attached to the dead body of Jesus, forgetting that Jesus already mentioned His resurrection on the third day. Indeed, our attachment to many worldly things especially the things of old can blind us or hold us back in recognizing Jesus.

Yet, Jesus allowed Mary and the other disciples to recognize Him. After all, it is only through His grace and mercy that we can truly see Him, hear His voice and feel His presence. That is why it is important to pray for Him to open our eyes because our emotional distress or personal concerns could prevent us from recognizing Him. May the risen Christ clear our vision that we may be able to see Him in His glory. Moreover, may He allow us to understand our mission and have the courage to carry on.

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