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. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”

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.

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.

In the early morning darkness, Mary trudges to the tomb, her heart heavy with grief that began two days ago while accompanying Jesus to Calvary. When she sees the stone rolled away, she frantically goes to tell the disciples. Verses omitted from our reading describe Peter and the beloved disciple’s arrival at the tomb to investigate. They return home, but Mary stays there, just like she stayed on Good Friday. She tearfully repeats to the two angels her story that the body of Jesus has been stolen.

Was it her tears that blind her from recognizing Jesus? But his voice calling her by name breaks through her despair and changes everything.

In the reading we hear at Mass, Jesus tells Mary to “stop holding onto me.” Who wouldn’t cling to a loved one restored to life! Then Jesus gives Mary—a woman!— a mission, and off she goes to announce the Good News to the disciples, her mourning changed to dancing.    

Can we follow Mary Magdalene’s example and keep our eyes, ears and hearts open to Jesus and go wherever he sends us?

—Diane Amento Owens was introduced to Ignatian spirituality in 2009 through the Midwest Jesuits’ annual Lenten Morning of Reflection. She offers spiritual direction with an Ignatian lens and is the author of Walking with Jesus to Jerusalem: A Lenten Pilgrimage of Hope. 

Dear Jesus,

Sometimes I can’t hear your voice clearly telling me what I ought to do for you.

Other times, I hear you loud and clear, but I’m reluctant or afraid to do what you ask.

Lead me beyond clinging to what’s comfortable or to what’s no longer true and life-giving.

Send me, Lord, as your witness and messenger of love. And with the help of your grace, I will go.   

Amen.

—Diane Amento Owens