"She turned around and saw Jesus standing there; but she did not know that it was Jesus." (John 20, 14)

She did not recognize him who had delivered her from "seven devils"….
She did not recognize him whom she had followed for so many months….
She did not recognize him who had given her new hope in life…
She did not recognize him whom she had seen dying on the cross…
She did not recognize him whom she had loved with all her heart…

"Mary" he said, with his usual kind voice
and immediately she knew.
"Rabboni", "Teacher" she answered.
The unbelievable had become true,
He who died is alive again,
He who had gone is here.
"Go, tell my brothers…."

And so she became the "Apostle of the Apostles". That's the name under which the woman delivered from the "seven devils" was known in the early Church.
The first person who received a mission from the Risen Christ was Mary Magdalene.

Two important questions need to be asked:
What does this story tell me about the way God deals with us, with me?
What Good News holds this story for me today?

Do you mean to say, Risen Christ, that this is your way of dealing with us? You really do want to reveal yourself to us; you want us to know, to experience, that you are alive in our world. How is it that I so often long to see you? How is it that you so often seem to be the hidden God? I know, we can find you in all things, in flowers and rainbows, in storms and silence, in children and old people, in joy and pain, in life and death. But how do I know it's you? I see and yet I do not recognize you. Call me by name with your kind voice, so that like Mary Magdalene, I know that it is you, Rabboni.

You send me out to your "brothers and sisters", to bring the Good News that you are alive in our world. You want me to be your messenger. "Peace be with you", that was your Easter greeting. May that also be my message, my gift wherever I live.

"Jesus is Risen." " Indeed he is Risen."