Called by Name

The Story

Mary Magdalene had once been tormented by seven demons until Jesus set her free. From then on, she followed Him. She was there at the cross when most of His disciples had fled, and she watched Him buried.

Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary went to the tomb. The stone had been rolled away, and the body was gone. She ran to tell Peter and John, who raced to the tomb, saw the empty grave clothes, and went home.

But Mary stayed. She stood outside the tomb weeping. When she looked inside, two angels asked why she was crying. “Because they have taken away my Lord,” she said, “and I know not where they have laid him.”

She turned around and saw a man standing there. Through her tears, she thought he was the gardener. “Sir, if you’ve carried him away, tell me where, and I’ll take him.”

Then He said one word: “Mary.”

She knew that voice instantly. “Rabboni!” Teacher! The risen Jesus sent her to tell the disciples, and she ran to them with the greatest news in history: “I have seen the Lord.”

Reflection