Friday within the Octave of the Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord
Posted on April 22, 2022 by under
Scripture: St. John 20:11-18 (NKJV)
20:11 But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”
She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”
14 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”
She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!”
She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).
17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’”
18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.
Devotion
Even though His ascension will not occur for 40 days, Jesus speaks of it in His first post-resurrection appearance to Mary Magdalene. Mary is clinging to Him, thinking that by her grasp they will not be separated again. First of all, Jesus’ words assure her that He has “not yet ascended.” Jesus will continue to appear to her and the disciples over the next 40 days. They will receive His teaching, examine His wounds, and receive His commission to make disciples of all nations.
Second, Mary must also learn that the ascension of Jesus is the inevitable result of His resurrection. Jesus has left behind His state of humiliation. Those days of traveling with Jesus during His three-year ministry have come to completion. Jesus’ death and resurrection have secured the atonement of all sinners. Believers have now become brothers with Jesus and share in His inheritance. Through Christ’s work we now share with Jesus in our Father and God.
In addition, once the risen Jesus has ascended, He promises to be with Mary always wherever the Church is baptizing and teaching (Matt. 28:20). This mystical presence of Christ with His Church is not only a great source of comfort for us, but through it He promises to shower upon us blessings. Ephesians 4:8, “ Therefore He says: ‘When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.’”
Prayer: Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we who have celebrated the solemnities of the Lord’s resurrection may, by the help of Thy grace, bring forth the fruits thereof in our life and conversation; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen.
Collect for the Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord
Almighty God, Who, through Thine Only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, hast overcome death, and opened unto us the gate of everlasting life: We humbly beseech Thee, that, as Thou dost put into our minds good desires, so by Thy continual help we may bring the same to good effect; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
