6 April 2021

Tuesday in the Octave of Easter

Today’s Gospel reading from John (20:11-18) continues where the narrative from Easter Sunday morning left off, with Mary Magdalene weeping outside Jesus’ empty tomb. She does not yet understand that Jesus has risen; from her perspective, it seems that someone has added insult to injury by stealing Jesus’ body from the tomb. 

While Mary is in this state of mourning and confusion, Jesus comes to her in the office of consoler (cf. SpEx 224). First, Jesus allows Mary to name her grief, and then he speaks her name, thereby opening her eyes to the reality of his Resurrection. As the Lord’s words indicate, Mary’s reaction is to cling to the Lord and embrace him. Jesus does not allow her to remain simply in this moment, though; instead, he immediately commissions her to go and give the news to the apostles. This episode is a reminder that no grace, however personal, is merely for our own possession and enjoyment; grace always contains an ecclesial and apostolic dimension. Even the most personal experiences in prayer which would not be appropriate to share publicly are ultimately meant to bear fruit in greater charity. Today, then, let us ask that, like Mary Magdalene, the graces and consolations we have received might bear fruit in acts of apostolic charity and zeal.