April 2007
“Woman,” he said, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means teacher).
John 20:15-16, NIV
I would imagine that Mary would be like any of us. Memories of time spent and conversations shared with Jesus carried her through that quiet, holy Saturday. It would be too overwhelming to remember the horror of watching Jesus die on the cross. It would be better to remember her gentle and holy friend with all of his wonderful words and deeds. That holy Saturday was a necessary day of rest, but early the next morning she went to the tomb to take care of the tasks of proper burial.
But, when she arrived, Mary was distressed to be robbed of her last good-bye. As she was trying to make sense of all that took place, Mary heard her name. And, in hearing her name, she knew that the man standing before her was Jesus, risen from the dead. No longer did Mary feel lonely, forsaken or abandoned.
I never grow tired of hearing the resurrection story. I never grow tired of singing the Easter hymns. After the months of winter, I’m ready for spring. After forty days of Lent, I’m ready to hear the passages that walk us through Holy Week and I am ready for Easter.
The beauty of this story for each of us, is that hope and light overcome despair and darkness. In the midst of our grief and pain, Jesus calls each of us by name. In the good and bad times, Jesus is there calling our name, reminding us that we have been named by God and claimed as a child of God.
May this gospel story carry you through the challenges of life. May this gospel story challenge you to share these words with those around you. Each day is a wonderful gift from God. A gift to be cherished. A gift to be celebrated. A gift to be shared. Each day we are to rise to newness of life. Easter does not return Mary and Jesus to the past, but instead, Easter opens up a new future. In the time of sadness as well as joy, Jesus is calling your name, reminding you of his promise.
Listen closely to the passages of Holy Week and be ready to celebrate the Resurrection.
In Christ, Pastor Becky Sogge
