Joy of the Resurrection
“Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him Hebrew, ‘Rabboni,’ 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…’ Mary went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’…” (John 20:16-18)
“Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him Hebrew, ‘Rabboni,’ 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…’ Mary went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’…” (John 20:16-18)
What joy must have flooded Mary Magdalene’s soul when she heard the loving voice of her Lord calling her by name, Mary! She knew that voice, his inimitable, loving voice. And he knew her. He knew her faithfulness, her genuine love and devotion, her courage to stand by him at his crucifixion and risk her safety before the Roman soldiers she expected were guarding his tomb. Now Jesus, her “Rabbouni” stood before her, in his glorious body, fully alive. He was her recompense! She shared in his suffering, and now she is the first to share the joy of his victory.
Her heart must have been pounding as she excitedly held on to Jesus. Can you understand her desire to cling to Jesus and not let him go? I would have held on for dear life myself! But there was work to be done. She now is a woman on mission. The Lord gives her the privileged mission, to share the good news, the joy of his victory with the Apostles.
The Lord sends us on mission too. He calls us by name and gives us the privilege to bring the joy of Easter, the joy of the gospel to others. This Easter season let’s rejoice in the Lord’s victory. Let our joy be contagious: Our Redeemer lives! Let’s share the good news that in Jesus Christ we have eternal life and that he “has conquered the world” (John 16:33).
How can I better spread the joy of the Lord and His Resurrection with my loved ones and those I encounter every day?
St. Mary Magdalene, Apostle to the Apostles, pray for us that we may spread the joy of the Lord’s Resurrection and courageously live the gospel every day of our lives. Amen.
Alicia Goodwin is the Director of the Marian Servants of Divine Providence®, a Public Association of the Faithful of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, and a community of Spirit-filled men and women guiding God’s people to healing, freedom and purpose in Christ through healing prayer, spiritual direction, and retreats. Their Cenacle of Our Lady of Divine Providence School of Spiritual Direction® offers certification for spiritual directors in association with Franciscan University of Steubenville. They are located at Our Lady of Divine Providence House of Prayer® by Old Tampa Bay in Clearwater, FL. where all are welcome to attend Masses, Adoration and special speaker events. Alicia holds a Master’s in Theological Studies from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, TX and a B.A. in Languages and Linguistics from Florida Atlantic University. She and her husband Lee have 3 children, 4 grandchildren and one adorable great grandchild. For more information on the Marian Servants please visit www.divineprovidence.org.
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