Prayer Prompt April 15

SCRIPTURE

John 20:11–18 (NRSVUE)

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb, and she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" 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 Hebrew, "Rabbouni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and she told them that he had said these things to her.​

REFLECTION

In her grief, Mary did not recognize Jesus until He spoke her name. This intimate moment highlights the personal relationship we have with Christ, who knows us individually and calls us by name. Reflect on times when you have felt personally addressed by God. How is the Holy Spirit speaking to you through this Scripture?​

PRAYER

Good Shepherd, You know me and call me by name. In moments of sorrow and confusion, help me to hear Your voice and recognize Your presence. May I, like Mary, proclaim with joy that I have seen the Lord. Amen.​