On the morning of that first Sunday after Jesus death, Mary Magdalene is always running (Jn 20, 1-18). While it is still dark, she runs to the tomb. When she finds it empty, she runs back to Peter and the beloved disciple. They come, they see and they leave.

Mary returns. She stays. She cries. She desires. She is inconsolable.. She refuses to leave the place where her loved one should be.

She feels. She embraces her void and disappointment. She does not deny her confusion. She expresses herself with tears. Her relentless love doesn't allow her to walk away. 

Twice she hears the same question. “Woman, why are you weeping?” And twice she says she is looking for her Lord. 

She misses Him. She cannot live without his body, even if it is dead. Even if all she can do is care for his lifeless body.

And, You, Jesus, you know that. That is why you asked her: “Whom are you looking for?” She simply wants You. Only love can take us beyond what sounds astonishingly unreasonable.

And then, in just one moment, everything changes, because you, Jesus, speak one word. “Just say the word, and my servant will be healed” (Mt 8,8). And the only word you say is: “Mary!”

You called her and you call us by name. Your first word of Easter is not a doctrine. Is not a rule nor a dogma. It is a name. Our name in your voice. 

And then you even do something more astonishing: “Go to my brothers and tell them…” 

Mary was sent to those who had not remained at the foot of the cross with her and the other women; to those who were not seeking Him; to those who had been consumed by denial and cowardice; and to those who believed it was foolish of a woman to believe He could be alive. 

“Go to them”, Jesus said. The Gospel tells us that the Apostles themselves received the greatest news in history from a woman whose most admirable quality was loving so much as to remain at the core of darkness. She is the first one to proclaim the mystery of faith: “We proclaim your death, o Lord and profess your Resurrection – I have seen the Lord”. The Church should never forget this. Neither should we. 

Faith in the Risen Christ wells up from an empty heart that seeks the one her soul loves (Song of songs 3,1). Faith flows from a burning thirst. Faith needs to hear our name called out by Jesus in such a way that our life is totally transformed, renewed and sent. 

Let us allow Jesus to ask us:

• What makes you cry in this moment of your life? 
• Who are you looking for? 
• Can you allow me to say your name in prayer over and over again? 
• Now, “Go and tell my brothers and sisters that I am alive!”

Paula Jordão, fmvd
UISG Formation Coordinator