Mary Magdalene on Easter Morning
I love this picture of Mary Magdalene at the tomb of Jesus on Easter morning. Without seeing her face, we can feel her sense of loss, grief and utter despair. Jesus, her beloved teacher and mentor, is dead and someone has stolen his body. What more could be taken from Mary?
On Easter Sunday, we read the story of the resurrection from John’s Gospel. John’s account is unique in three particular ways: Mary Magdalene is all alone at the tomb of Jesus; it is still dark when she visits it; Jesus is there at the tomb. The other 3 Gospels portray Mary with other women at (or after) dawn, and Jesus never meets her there. John is painting a picture of Mary all alone in the darkness of her grief; and yet (to her surprise), Jesus is alive and visits her at the tomb. She doesn’t recognize him at first, even as he talks with her; but then, when she hears Jesus calling her by name, she suddenly recognizes him and her life is changed forever.
There is an important message in this story for us: Even in our darkest and most alone moments in life, God continues to be present. We may not recognize God’s presence. We may not be able to see at all in our darkest moments. Nevertheless, God is always there…always loving us…and always inviting us to open our hearts to receive and give love.
May we recognize God’s loving presence during this Easter season, and may our lives be changed forever!
Aloha nui!
Kahu Alan Akana
“A Message from Kahu Alan Akana” is provided most weeks by the Kahu (Pastor) of Koloa Union Church, a congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference. Join us at 3289 Poipu Road in Koloa!
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