John 20: 11-18. The four Gospels all have parts of the resurrection story, each a bit different but all affirming that the tomb was empty and Jesus was alive. I’ve known and appreciated those passages all my life but there is one part of John’s account that particularly moves me: Mary, weeping outside the open tomb, looked in and saw two angels sitting where Jesus body had been lying.
When they asked why she was weeping, she responded that her Lord had been taken away and she didn’t know where He was. After speaking, she turned around and Jesus was standing before her – but she didn’t recognize him. Jesus asked whom she was seeking and, believing him to be the gardner, she asked where they had taken Jesus, as she wanted to go and attend to the body. It was at that moment that Jesus said a single word, ‘Mary!’ and in that moment she knew the truth.
What’s in a name? A simple name such as ‘Mary’? Everything – just everything! Mary heard her name and was suddenly filled with the wonder of God’s love and no one could ever again take that from her. To the sound of her name, Mary exclaimed, ‘Rabbouni’ (meaning ‘teacher’).
After the resurrection, Jesus spoke the names of his disciples and friends. We can only imagine that hearing their names empowered them to become evangelists and teachers throughout the known world. There is such power in hearing our names from the lips of one who loves us.
Because we are sacred to God, God calls us each by name. The One who numbers the hairs on our heads (Luke 12:7), never disregards us. Jennifer, Juan, Mandy, Marcello . . . God knows and calls us by name. Mary and those seeing Jesus following the resurrection were strengthened and equipped to be leaders in his name. Where there is injustice, suffering, loneliness and pain – our names are spoken. May we, too, feel comforted, strengthened and equipped in the hearing. What’s in a name? Everything – just everything!