Remembering Mary Magdalene

John 20: 1- 2, 11 - 18

"I have seen the Lord"

In the spiritual life, there should always be a healthy balance between acknowledging our pain and losses and being open to God. It is easy to miss the Lord when our focus is kept on ourselves. Mary Magdalene did not at first recognize the Lord because her focus was on the empty tomb and on her own loss and grief. Jesus broke through her preoccupation with one word. Immediately, her focus shifted from her loss to his gift of presence.

It is always a fine balance for us. When we feel confused and in turmoil, it is important to name and claim our feelings. It is healthy to do so, and I believe Scripture gives us many examples of such outpourings in the psalm prayers. Without this honesty, we would just be heaping pious platitudes on to each and every situation ('claiming the promises'), without first addressing the deep issue.

But there is always the second 'stanza'. There is always the need to come to the place where, emptied of the pain and sorrow, we are at a place where God can break through. There comes a time when holding on to the turmoil and pain would be self defeating.

Mary was searching for her lost Lord. And it was appropriate for her to weep. Jesus even helped her express her feelings of loss and confusion. But then he revealed himself to her. And she responded with surprise and much joy. The tears were wiped away and she was given a new faith perspective.

God meets us where we are, not where we think we 'should' be. I have had to learn this time and again, always finding it difficult to stay 'where I am' long enough for God to meet me there. But I am learning well. I have experienced God breaking through when I was most honest with what was going on within me. And at those deeply consoling times, I could say, "I have met the Lord".