“Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news:
‘I have seen the Lord!’ And she told them that he had said these things to her.”
John 20:18 NIV

Doesn’t this say it all? Mary’s exclamation tells us that she has gone from deep despair to exaltation in a matter of minutes. Having found the empty tomb, Mary goes to Peter and the others to tell them “they” have taken the Lord. Peter and the followers all converge on the tomb and have no idea what has happened because, as verse 9 states: “They did not yet understand from the Scriptures that Jesus must rise from the dead.”

But Mary remains in the garden looking for Jesus – seeking the Lord. When Jesus appears to her, she doesn’t recognize Him, until he speaks her name. Then she is transported to joy and proclaims, “I have seen the Lord!”

Today, we still don’t understand the mystery of the Resurrection and won’t until all these things are made clear. However, when we see the majesty of a mountain, hold a new born child, experience the kindness of a stranger, reach out to help someone in need, or so many other events in our daily lives, we can be brought from the depth of despair to the heights of happiness. We can proclaim with great joy “I have seen the Lord!” We can do this because our God lives and loves us without reservations – unconditionally.  Happy Easter!

Dear Lord Jesus, the gift of redemption is a gift of infinite value! I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Give me the grace to see You in every person that I meet, in every action that I take, in all that I do. Amen.

Terri