John 20:14
"[Mary] turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus."
If you think about it, Jesus didn't have to appear to Mary Magdalene as he does in today's Gospel. Really, Jesus didn't have to appear to anyone after He was raised from the dead. He could have quite simply just ascended right to heaven, sat at the right hand of His Father, and called it an eternity.
But Jesus doesn't do this. As we see in today's Gospel, Jesus willingly appears to Mary Magdalene. Why? He wants to share the joy of the resurrection with her! His desire to share in the resurrection's power bursts within Him and he appears to others so that they might rejoice too. Jesus yearns to have Mary rejoice with Him in the great Easter truth that He has risen!
Jesus wants us, too, to share in the joy of His resurrection. What might this look like today? How can I rejoice with Jesus in His resurrection? What small yet courageous way can I live the Gospel and witness to others that Jesus Christ is alive?
Get to know our seminarians! Today's reflection was written by:
Deacon Connor Penn, Fourth Theology
Home parish: Corpus Christi, Temple Terrace
Did you know...
Bishop Parkes will ordain me as a priest in exactly one month and two days--and I cannot wait to get out in the Diocese to start serving all of you!
Pray with us for the men and women discerning the priesthood and religious life. To pray for our seminarians by name or to find out more about the Diocese of St. Petersburg vocations office, click here.
