Tuesday April 11th: Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene

Jesus said to her, “Mary!”  She turned and said to Him, in Hebrew. “Rabbouni!” (Which means Teacher).

John 20: 11-18

It must have been her absolute and unconditional love for Jesus that would have propelled Mary Magdalene to wake up so early to return to Jesus’ grave.   When Jesus calls her by name, she immediately recognizes who is calling her.  Her response, “Rabbouni!”, “Teacher!” could come only from one who was now redeemed from all stain of sin.  The moment Jesus said to her, “Mary!”, all the Light of Heaven opened for her.  She moved from darkness to light, from despair to hope.  She now understood everything that Jesus had taught her before.

When Jesus calls us by name, not only do we listen, but we also become clearly aware of all that He has been, all that He is and all that He will be to us.  We are transformed and see Him in a new light.

In this Easter season, let us pray that each one of us will, like Mary Magdalene, rise from the grave of sin to New Life in Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord.