For Sunday
Easter Day
Year B
Collect
O God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Reading
Reflection
It shouldn’t surprise us that Mary can’t see past her own grief. At least, not at first. It covers her attention like a shroud, a veil, that obscures her vision. She can’t even see the subject of her grief when he is standing there!
But let us not tie grief to the ability to see, but to the greater allure of grief to the grieving. Much like failure feeds insecurity, disappointment fuels grieving. For some, even the disappointment of snapping out of it! Because now they can grieve over reasons to grieve!
It takes a personal connection with Jesus—he speaks her name—to awaken her. Names spoken by loved ones are powerful.
Studies of children show they will sleep through alarm clocks and smoke detectors going off, but wake when Mom quietly says their names. This makes little sense in an abstract objective conception but is sensible in the minds of those who are loved and long to be loved.
As we celebrate the risen Christ, let us awake from our own slumber, grief, or malaise to witness Christ’s profound love and grace is very much alive.