Presence of God
A quick look through the book of Psalms will reveal a theme that repeats itself again and again - the steadfast love of God.
When we look at Jesus we see the reflection of what God is like. In his life, in facing death, and in death itself, Jesus remained faithful in his love towards those he came to save.
As we journey through Holy Week, you will see the steadfast love of God again and again, fully revealed in the face of Jesus.
Word of God
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.
John 20:11-18
Devotion
Can you picture Mary, feeling her way in the dark to the last place she saw her Lord? But he isn’t there. The stone has been rolled away and his body is gone. She thinks someone has stolen it. It’s only later, as she is standing outside the tomb weeping, that she turns and sees a mysterious stranger standing there. She thinks he’s the gardener. She says, “If you’ve carried him off somewhere tell me and I will take him away.” And then Jesus calls her name, “Mary,” and in that moment she recognizes him for who he really is — the risen Lord.
Do you know how that is, how you can pick your mother’s voice out of a hundred other voices? This is the one who gave you life. This is the one who taught you love.
I think that’s how it was for Mary.
Jim Somerville
Yes, I think for Mary it was the tone/timbre of Jesus’ voice as he spoke her name that was the giveaway .... just as it was the act of breaking the bread for the two who walked the Emmaus Road with him later that day.
It makes me wonder what ‘gives Jesus away’ to you, makes his presence distinct from others? There are probably several things, since we did not have the joy of actually walking and talking with the living human or pre-ascended physically on-earth Jesus as did these folks. But I think it is good to have identified what it is that usually prompts you to Jesus’ presence with you.
For me it centers on deep, spirit-filled music; direct eye contact with the one serving me the elements of Eucharist (and not just handing a plate of to me without a word!); settings of light and shadow in the natural world (especially when I have a camera); a whole hoard of symbols and ritual acts (lighting the advent candles, a Tenebrae, etc.) sunrises (and sunsets).
I pray you had a meeting with the risen Lord today, and will continue to throughout this Eastertide and beyond. He is always right there, speaking, singing, breaking, lighting, rising up — just waiting for us to hear or see or take notice. Alleluia!
Norma Prina Murphy
Conversation with God
Jesus. Teacher. Source of life and love. On this day I celebrate your resurrection, grateful beyond words that you are now and forever alive and well. Thanks be to God! Amen.
Benediction
O that you and I might be,
Like Jesus,
Faithful and true.
God grant us grace
That we might become,
Like Christ,
Steadfast in our love too.
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| In a dry gulch alongside the driveway loop of Ghost Ranch Conference Center, Abiquiu, New Mexico --- a falling leaf caught mid-air while shooting the beauty of the shadow's tracery on the already fallen leaves |
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| A life and death battle at stake for this tree in a harsh, rocky yet vibrant setting in that same dry gulch |
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| Seeing the awesome beauty of these back-lit leaf layers (still in that same dry gulch) is something that I consciously continue to attribute now to a creation spoken into being by one who was 'with God and ....was God. In him was life and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it.' (see John 1:1-4) |
The Lord is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
