Reflections for Lent

John 20:1-18 NRSV

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes. But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

What’s In a Name?

I was born to parents who decided on an unusual spelling of my name at that time in history….which often results in misspellings to the more common form. It may sound overly sensitive, but the more common form is NOT ME, making it impossible, or at least hard, to respond to. And so, on this glorious Easter day when God’s will was revealed, the verse from John 20:1-18 that stirs me most deeply is verse 16. Mary Magdalene had witnessed the life and death of Jesus, she had been ministered to by him, she had followed him.

But on that Easter morning when she saw the man she thought to be the gardener, her eyes and ears were not opened to his true identity until he said her name. That’s crucial, not just for me, but for all of us who seek not only to recognize Christ, but to know him so intimately that our eyes and hearts are opened to his nearness when he calls us lovingly by name. I’m sure there is no sweeter sound. This past Christmas I had the blessed opportunity to witness a true Christmas miracle. My grandchildren were hoping for a puppy, but it was not to be due to impossible obstacles. 

And then loving friends (angels unawares) surprised the family with a one-year-old puppy named Lila who arrived with only a new Christmas collar and the knowledge of her name. Hearing her name had her jumping into our laps, full of trust, because we knew her by name. That was all she needed to feel a part of the family and know she was loved. I have no doubt that Christ calls each of us lovingly by name. Our human limitations need Christ’s help in opening our eyes, ears, and heart. 

All we have to do is ask for His help as we fervently seek Him…and to pray unceasingly for recognition as he calls our name and, just like Mary, we will learn He’s closer than we realized. 

~Janis H. Collins~ 

Dear God, the world is so busy and loud that it’s hard for the still small voice to be heard. Please give those that seek You the eyes and ears to hear, especially when You call us lovingly by name, not just at Easter, but always. Amen.