“Woman, why are you weeping?”

The first words that Jesus said to Mary Magdalene as she sat in the garden by the empty tomb on that first Easter morning. She must have been desperately sad and upset at the death of her Lord and friend, and then confused, bewildered and worried when she went to the tomb early on the third day only to find the stone rolled away and the grave clothes there. “They have taken him away” she said to the disciples and Peter and John ran to see what on earth she was talking about. They went away again but she remained, waiting for who knows what? And so she cried. It was then that Jesus came to her – not with a loud crash or fanfare of trumpets, no “Look at me” jollity, just a few words of compassionate enquiry. So ordinary was it that she did not even recognise him at first.

That is our God. A God who cares for us and understands us in all our needs. He comes with love to help, to reassure, and to guide: he knows when we are hurting. The resurrection was a momentous event – worthy of all the glorious splendour of heaven, and so we rightly celebrate it with noise and song. But he comes to us in the quiet too – the quietness of the garden, speaking softly to a person in need. 

Risen Christ,
Thank you that you come to us in so may ways to meet our needs.
Thank you for the glories of Easter,
Thank you for your quiet compassion.
Help us to see you in all situations and to respond to your call.
Help us to see your resurrection life and love in all that we do.
Amen