Women and Christ, Meditation 22

 Meditation 22: The empty tomb

John 20:1-18 (special attention please, to verses 1, 11, 16, 18)

After that anguished Sabbath, Mary hurried in the predawn light to the tomb. Each Gospel account mentions her by name and finds the stone moved. The tomb is empty. The corpse is gone. Mary Magdalene dashes back to inform Peter and John. The two men rush to the tomb and find it empty. Although they believed something significant happened, as yet the men did not understand that Jesus had risen from the dead. They go home, shaking their heads in confusion.

Everyone is gone except Mary, an emotional wreck, her body racked with bitter, profuse weeping. Her profound grief comes from the depths of her soul.

Fact: Humankind can identify with her despair and acute sense of bereavement.

Suddenly she sees two glorious beings in dazzling white clothes. They call her “Woman,” with the greatest respect and courtesy. The angelic beings ask why she is crying. Her answer is emotional and distraught. She turns away and bumps into Jesus. Through her tears, she thinks he is a cemetery employee or gardener. Blinded by grief, Mary did not recognize him. Jesus tenderly asks why she is weeping and she babbles something in response.

In one of the most beautiful moments in the entire Bible, in Hebrew, Jesus calls her by name. “Miriam.” She instantly recognizes her name, spoken only as Jesus could call her. Joyfully Mary embraces him and calls him, “Rabbouni! (Teacher, Master).”

God truth: Jesus is the eternal Good Shepherd of our souls, and calls us by name (John 10:3).

Jesus honors Mary Magdalene by choosing her above all others to be the very first apostle to see him alive in his new resurrected state. He sends her to the male disciples with the astonishing message that he is alive. Jesus used not only a woman, but also someone who had previously suffered from serious mental illness, to be his first messenger. Mary’s message: ‘Jesus is alive! I’ve seen him with my own eyes. He is risen. He is alive!’

Just as Jesus called Miriam, he also calls us by name, for he is alive. We are given the same fantastic message given to Mary Magdalene. With Mary, we can find the courage needed to break oppressive traditions in order to follow Jesus in obedience. With Mary, we too, can come to Jesus for healing. With her, we can serve him with gratitude, giving of ourselves wholeheartedly and joyfully. Gender, age, sexual orientation, race, social class, and financial or ethnic backgrounds do not restrict our possibilities for God’s service. Jesus calls us to love him with the love Mary Magdalene had for him.

Prayer: Rabbouni, Teacher, Master, and LORD -- help us be a spiritual person of excellence through the example of Mary Magdalene. Help us love you as she did. Let us follow you wherever you lead, willing to go against the flow of oppressive tradition if need be, to serve you in joyful obedience. Use us as you have used Mary Magdalene. Amen.

Comments

[la_fee_verte]

(faut être patientE)
http://www.anglaisfacile.com/ :D

Et un dictionnaire : http://www.lexilogos.com/anglais_langue_dictionnaires.htm

Bon courage hahaha !

(et à l'école, tu dormais pendant les cours ?!)

[Sandje69]

Tu offres le décodeur avec ?