A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John (20:1-2, 11-18)
On the first day of the week,
Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early in the morning,
while it was still dark,
and saw the stone removed from the tomb.
So she ran and went to Simon Peter
and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,
“They have taken the Lord from the tomb,
and we don’t know where they put him.”
Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping.
And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb
and saw two angels in white sitting there,
one at the head and one at the feet
where the Body of Jesus had been.
And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”
She said to them, “They have taken my Lord,
and I don’t know where they laid him.”
When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there,
but did not know it was Jesus.
Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?
Whom are you looking for?”
She thought it was the gardener and said to him,
“Sir, if you carried him away,
tell me where you laid him,
and I will take him.”
Jesus said to her, “Mary!”
She turned and said to him in Hebrew,
“Rabbouni,” 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,
to my God and your God.'”
Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples,
“I have seen the Lord,”
and then reported what he told her.
Reflection: In today’s Gospel, Mary Magdalene stands weeping, at the entrance of the empty tomb. Her profound grief over losing Jesus, reflects our own deep sorrow, when a loved one passes away. Yet, in our darkest moments of loss, the Risen Christ meets us personally, and calls us by name, as I truly believe, He called our brother in Christ, Deacon Ray Emnace by name, as He welcomed him, Home.
Today’s Gospel also tells us; “Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark…” Mary stood outside the tomb in the dark. She loved Jesus dearly, and the uncertainty of death, brought her a crushing desolation. Those of us who have lose someone, we love, we know this pain all too well. We understand the tears, the confusion, and the overwhelming feeling of emptiness, that leaves a deep void in our hearts, when a loved one is taken from our sight. But amid her tears of desolation, Mary turns and sees Jesus. However, in her grief, she does not recognize Him. It is not until Jesus calls her by name—”Mary”—that the veil of sorrow is lifted, and she recognizes Him, as her teacher.
When we are grieving, Jesus is often standing right beside us, in our darkness, even when we cannot see Him through our tears. He knows the depths of our heartache, and He calls each of us by name. Our belief in the Resurrection does not erase the reality of our human pain, but it completely transforms it. It reminds us that death is not the end, but the doorway to eternal life with our Creator, The Eternal.
Just as Jesus turned Mary’s weeping, into a joyful mission to proclaim the Good News, He invites us today and always, to carry the hope of His Resurrection, into our grief. Our loss of our loved ones are not lost to us forever; they are held securely, in the hands of the same loving Father, that Jesus spoke of, on Easter morning.
Eternal rest grant unto Deacon Ray Emnace, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon Him. May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
ACTION FOR THE DAY: Take time today to find a quite place, and like Mary Magdalene in today’s Gospel, who stood in her deepest sorrow at the empty tomb of Jesus, stand if you are able, in His midst, and in prayer ask our Lord, to meet you now in your grief.
That grief may be; the death of a loved one; divorce or the end of a long-term relationship; the gradual loss of memory; receiving a chronic or terminal illness diagnosis for yourself, or someone you love dearly; the death of a pet; loss of community or home; loss of a job or career; loss of identity; financial instability, or other deep, life-altering changes that disrupts and torments, one’s heart, soul and mind.
Then, ask the Lord to comfort your aching heart, while your grief your loss. Also, ask Him to give you the grace, to hear Him calling your name, reminding you, that you are not alone, and allow Him to hold you, in the tender and loving embrace, of His comforting arms.
Audio Reflection:
Thank you, Deacon Carlos. God bless.