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“Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.”

(John 20:15-18)

Mary Magdalen’s encounter with the risen Jesus contains important revelation about the nature and scope of the resurrection. It was:

· Historical, happening at a moment in time and space

· Shocking, Mary’s first experience was of the risen absence of Jesus from the grave

· Comforting, an anticipation of the day when weeping and mourning will be over

· Physical, Mary hugged Jesus and had to be told to let go

· Personal, “Woman” becomes “Mary”, “Sir” becomes “My Teacher”

· For Everyone, evidenced by the choice of a lowly woman with a questionable past as the first witness and messenger

· Transforms Death, with both progressive and retrospective implications for those who follow Jesus