Christian Seasons Calendar

Daily Reflection

Sunday, April 20, 2025

Easter Sunday
Easter
“Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. [Mary] 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 20:1, 14b-18

On the first day of what is a new creation, Mary is astounded to discover that Jesus is not still dead. Only by hearing her name spoken in Jesus’ beloved voice does she recognize him. The Bible doesn’t overuse exclamation marks, but there are two here at the end of only two spoken words that follow each other: “Mary!” “Rabbouni!” Immediately, the risen Jesus entrusts Mary with the responsibility to relay the message of what she has witnessed, which she faithfully carries out. So it begins, and it is very good! Through this 50-day Easter season, let’s daily remind ourselves and celebrate that we live in a world where Jesus has been raised from the dead. Hallelujah!

We still marvel at what You are able to do, Resurrecting God! We are grateful for Your tremendous steadfast love, for time to contemplate and celebrate the wonder of Jesus’ resurrection, and that You entrust us with new tasks in Your new creation. Hallelujah! Amen

Janice Love

 

The daily reflection is from The Christian Seasons Calendar created by University Hill Congregation.