I have seen the Lord – Reflection on John 20:1-2, 11-18
If you have lost a loved one, you likely occasionally experience brief moments of that person’s spiritual existence. You might perceive a gentle touch in your heart, a vivid remembrance of your time together, or inspirational reassuring that person is with God in Heaven. These moments of not holding on to the physical past can strengthen our beliefs in Divinity. We can also experience moments looking into the eyes of total strangers to know with absolute certainty that Christ is present with them. These times of consolation remind us of the wonderful people we have known who have passed and are always with God. Like Mary, we can understand through all our encounters in the knowing of loving souls here and in heaven to say, “I have seen the Lord.”
Mary Magdalene Questions the Angels in the Tomb by James Tissot (full-resolution painting)
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
John 20:1-2, 11-18 – Scripture*
The Resurrection of Jesus
20 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; 12 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. 13 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.” 14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 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.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). 17 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.’” 18 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.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on John 20:1-2, 11-18 Reflection – I have seen the Lord.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate your expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities experience your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions. Amen.
Attributions
This site has written permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible for the John 20 Bible passage.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.
Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: I have seen the Lord
Page and discussion group on these Lectio Divina daily Gospel Readings.
Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.