In today’s Gospel, Mary Magdalene encounters the risen Jesus. At first she doesn’t recognize Him. It’s not until Jesus says her name that she knows that it’s Him. Mary goes and announces to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord” (John 20:18). This story reminds us that this is what the Christian life is about. Do we too recognize Christ in our lives and share Him with others?
Jesus is always working in our lives. Whether it’s through different events in our days, or through other people, He is there. Yet, how often do we fail to recognize Him?
We can be blind to Jesus in front of us so easily. Mary was blinded by her grief and thought Jesus was the gardener (John 20:15). Distraction, our own struggles and suffering, doubt, and our weaknesses can all blind us to recognizing Jesus. But He is there. Are we looking for Him?
When we have an encounter with Jesus and recognize Him in our daily lives, we should share that with others. We must share how He has impacted our lives and how He is working in our lives. Hearing people’s witnesses of Christ is powerful and can help give hope and may help others to seek Him more deeply in their lives.
Mary’s encounter with Jesus reminds us that He is right in front of us, even if we don’t always recognize Him at first. My prayer for each of us today is that we would seek Jesus daily, recognizing Him in the people around us and the moments of our days, so that we too can share with others, “I have seen the Lord!”
Faith and The Good Stuff 