Song of Songs 3:1-4
John 20:1-2,11-18
While all the gospels speaks about the empty tomb, it is only John’s gospel that filled in the story of Mary Magsalene’s intense love for Christ. Mary had stood with His mother, Mary, and John himself at the Crucifixion, in the shadow of the Cross. She had watched Him being laid in the tomb. Now in pre-dawn darkness trotting in the still of Jerusalem, she came swiftly to offer her most loving service: preparing His mutilated body for proper burial after the Passover.
Now arriving at the break of dawn, she was struck by terror and grief again as she realized the tomb had been violated. With the first light, she discovered that the tomb has been violated, the stone rolled away and Christ body was no longer lying there. Suddenly, her misery turned to marvelous joy as the light of all lights, called her by the name ‘Mary’ and revealed himself not as a gardener but as the Lord Himself. The Lord gave her this privilege as the first witness of His resurrection before His Vicar Peter and His beloved disciple John.
This woman who was delivered from the demons’ grip became the first ambassador of the resurrection apparition. A daughter beloved by God and now returns that favor with great devotion because she knows she had been delivered and pardoned forever.
We too have been delivered from darkness to light and have received life at the dawn of Easter. May we too sing of God’s loving mercy as we seek Him out. Out of the depths, I cry to you, Lord hears my voice. O let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleading. It is your face, O Lord, that I seek.
Fr Joseph Osho
