From today’s Scripture: “Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?’ She thought it was the gardener and said to him, ‘Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbouni,’ which means Teacher.” — Jn 20:15-16

Filled with sorrow and grief, Mary Magdalene receives comfort from her master. The risen Jesus, in his infinite tenderness and mercy, first reveals himself to Mary to console her in her pain. Jesus calls her by name; she recognizes him and exclaims, “Master!” Her sorrow turns to joy, and she goes to share the great news with the disciples.

How often we, too, feel sad or depressed by the difficult situations we face in life. It is precisely in these moments that the Lord is closest to us, ready to offer comfort, just as he did for Mary Magdalene. In our pain, we seek the Lord and ask for him, yet we often struggle to recognize him. However, when we do recognize him, he fills our hearts with peace and hope, enabling us to face life’s challenges with greater clarity and courage. He brings us comfort because he has triumphed over pain, sin, and death.

Let us pray: Lord, help me to find you, to discover you in life’s difficult moments, so that you may console and comfort me, and I may continue on my journey and bear witness to your resurrection.

Today’s author is Lorenzo Aju, missionary pastoral coordinator of the Catholic community of Overton County in Tennessee.

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