Reading
John 20:16
Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher).
Devotion
Sara Maitland, a British writer of religious fantasy, wrote in 2016:
“Is it worth noting that women were privileged witnesses not because of some casual chance but because they got out of bed early and got on with the job? Even John, who does not seem to have Luke’s predisposition to pay attention to women’s roles, records that after seeing the empty tomb, Peter and John went home; Mary of Magdala encountered the risen Christ precisely because she stayed awake, stayed put, kept weeping: a model for all Christians, lay or ordained.”
I like that last bit a lot. Where in your own life, dear reader, have you encountered the risen Christ? How would you describe such an encounter? What led to it? I love that Jesus reaches into Mary's deepest part of herself and is in turn recognized by calling her by name. He knows her that intimately. Does he not know you that deeply as well? Listen this week, dear reader, who knows? Perhaps the Lord may call you by name!
Prayer
"God of mercy, thank you for meeting us in our deepest moments of longing. Help me to hear your voice when you call my name, even in the small and everyday places. Like Mary, give me the courage to rise, to trust, and to witness to the life you bring. May your Spirit empower me to carry the message of hope to others with joy and gentleness. Amen" (Albert George).