Sharing our encounter with the Risen Lord

After witnessing the Crucifixion of Jesus, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb to lament the one she loved and, of course, thought was dead. But … the tomb is open and empty! Mary Magdalene doesn’t understand, she thinks that someone has taken Christ’s body. She tells the Apostles and then goes back to the tomb, to the angels, and back to Christ Himself, who she doesn’t recognize.

For Mary, it was the first time that something like this had ever happened and it was completely unimaginable. And then Jesus calls her softly by name — “Mary.” No drums, no trumpets, no Son of man arriving on the clouds. Christ chose a simple personal way to show himself after his victory over death! It is through his voice, and Mary’s name. There is nothing more intimate than a person’s first name. It is in the sound of her name in the quiet of the garden that she recognizes him. When she turns around, she cries out her love for him: “Rabbi !” And Jesus tells her to go : “go to my brethren and say to them, ‘I ascend to my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God.’”

Mary was the first to see the risen Lord. She received a mission from him. The Risen Christ also comes to meet us, to entrust us with a mission: to be his witnesses. He offers us the chance to proclaim his good news and what it means for everyone: that it is possible to be victorious over evil and death, the hope for life eternal.

Jesus entrusts each one of us with the responsibility to tell the world about our encounter with Him and give testimony to the Good News of salvation. In this way others can also be witnesses for Christ.

All the appearances of the Risen Christ show personal encounters with Him. Each one of us is called to this in the sacraments, in prayer, and during our whole life. But that is not all. We as well are called by Him to assume the same challenge as His first witnesses. We must go into the streets and into our communities to share the good news with those who may not hear it. We also share it with those who may have forgotten, who have let the struggles of life hide it in darkness.

Those in need can find Christ in their encounter with us. Share you joy in the risen Lord so that they too may have joy in their lives.

Deacon John Girolami DTS
SSVP Spiritual Advisor ONRC