A reflection on John 20:11-18
How deep His gaze into Mary’s eyes is when she
encounters Him in the garden. “Mary.” His voice is tender and yet commanding
so that she, through her sorrow, realizes that this man indeed is her Teacher
and Master. “Rabboni!” She knows His voice; the sheep recognizes the voice of
her Shepherd and immediately responds. He instructs her, briefly, and sends her
forth.
In our own lives, Christ calls out to us – even in deep
sorrow and suffering. He asks only for a response of love, a response of trust.
When we hear our name spoken in the tenderness of His voice, how can we fail to
turn quickly to Him in reply? He shows us, in his very body, that He is already
victorious over all our human suffering. He brings us hope of the redemption of
our bodies (Rom. 8:23) and of the glory that awaits us (2 Cor 4:17). After we
turn to Him and have received with eager hearts the words that He speaks to us,
we are sent forth to proclaim His triumph – that the Shepherd has died for the
sheep and through His Resurrection has made each person into a new creation.
