In the stillness of the early morning, Mary Magdalene stood at the entrance of the empty tomb, her heart heavy with grief. “Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned and said to him in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means Teacher)” (Jn 20:15-16).
The One she had followed, the Teacher who had changed her life, was gone. She had come to anoint His body, but instead found the stone rolled away, the tomb vacant. Confusion mingled with despair as she turned to see a man she presumed was the gardener. Through her tears, she did not recognize Him. It wasn’t until He spoke her name, “Mary,” that her eyes were opened, and she realized it was Jesus.
In that profound moment, everything changed. The emptiness she felt just moments before was transformed into a joy she could hardly contain. This encounter, recorded in John’s Gospel, is more than a historical event; it is a deeply personal and spiritual revelation. Mary’s name, spoken by the Risen Christ, cuts through her sorrow and misunderstanding. It reveals not only His identity but also the personal and intimate way He calls each of us to Himself. Just as Mary did not immediately recognize Jesus, we too often fail to see Him in our lives, especially in moments of doubt, loss, or distraction.
Mary’s moment of recognition did not come from seeing Jesus—she had already seen Him, though through tear-blurred eyes. It came from hearing Him. Jesus spoke her name, and in that instant, the veil of her grief was lifted. This speaks to the power of His voice, a voice that calls not just to the masses but to each individual heart. How often do we, like Mary, fail to recognize Jesus in our midst? Perhaps we are looking for Him in grand, unmistakable ways and miss His presence in the gentle, quiet moments. He may call to us in the kindness of a stranger, the beauty of creation, or the peace that settles in prayer. Sometimes, He calls in ways that are unexpected, even perplexing. Yet, His call is always personal, always directed to our innermost being. Like Mary, we may hear Him most clearly when He speaks our name, reminding us that we are known and loved intimately by the Creator of the universe.
Mary Magdalene’s encounter with Jesus also reflects the journey many of us experience in our faith. She began that morning in profound grief, believing that all hope was lost. Her world had been shattered, her Savior crucified. Yet in the span of a single word, “Mary,” everything changed. Her sorrow turned to joy, her despair to hope. The One she thought was lost forever was alive, and her life— and the world— would never be the same.
This journey mirrors our own as we navigate the trials and sorrows of life. We may feel abandoned or confused, unsure of where God is in the midst of our struggles. But just as Jesus was present to Mary in her darkest moment, He is present to us. And when the time is right, He will call us by name, revealing Himself in a way that transforms our pain into peace and our grief into joy.
When Jesus calls us, as He called Mary, the question becomes: How will we respond? Mary’s immediate reaction was to cling to Him, overwhelmed by love and relief. Yet Jesus gently redirected her: “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father” (Jn 20:17). Instead, He gave her a mission: to go and tell the others that He had risen.
In the same way, our recognition of Christ’s presence in our lives calls us to action. It is not enough to simply experience His love; we are invited to share it with others. Whether through words, deeds, or simply the witness of a life transformed by grace, we are called to be messengers of His resurrection, bringing hope to a world in need.
As we move through the season of Lent and into the joy of Easter, Mary Magdalene’s story invites us to reflect on our own relationship with the risen Christ. Are we attuned to His voice, ready to recognize Him when He calls? Are we open to the ways He may be revealing Himself, even in the ordinary moments of our lives?
The risen Christ is not distant or detached. He is near, calling each of us by name, just as He called Mary. His voice may come as a whisper in prayer, a nudge in our conscience, or a moment of clarity amidst confusion. When we recognize Him, our response should mirror Mary’s: a heart overflowing with love and a willingness to share the Good News.
This Easter, consider the ways Jesus might be calling your name. Open your heart to hear His voice and see His presence, even when it is hidden or unexpected. And as you encounter Him, let the joy of His resurrection fill your life, transforming every moment with the hope and promise of new life in Him.
By Andrea DePaola
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