November 21

Rabboni--My Master

But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent down to look into the tomb, and she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and the other at the feet. “Woman, why are you weeping?” they asked. “Because they have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I do not know where they have put Him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there; but she did not recognize that it was Jesus. “Woman, why are you weeping?” Jesus asked. “Whom are you seeking?” Thinking He was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried Him off, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). — John 20:11-16 BSB

After the disciples returned home, Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. Then she took one last look at the place where Jesus had been laid. How often we, too, look down into the graves of past experiences, old emotions, and sacred memories, seeking for the Redeemer. The angels at the tomb could not comfort Mary—what could they do for her when only the sound of His voice could satisfy her?

Perhaps it was the sense of a presence behind her, or as St. Chrysostom suggests, perhaps it was the expression of awe and love on the angels’ faces, that caused Mary to turn. She saw a figure standing there, whom she assumed to be the gardener. But then He spoke her name, with the same familiar tone, and she knew at once that it was her Lord. The knowledge that He was present, the One to whom she owed everything, filled her with joy, and she responded in the language they both knew so well, “Rabboni!”

Does this not hint at the life to come, where we shall once again hear the voices of those we love, speaking in the same tones with which we are familiar? “‘As we have borne the image of the earthly, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly,” and we will be reunited with those we have lost for a time.

“Rabboni” means “my Master.” We must take the risen Lord not only as our Saviour but also as our Master. Too many seek Him only for what He can do for them in terms of salvation or deliverance from sin. But we will never experience the fullness of either until we fall at His feet and declare Him Master and Lord.

This must be a personal decision—“My Master.” It is not enough that He should be Lord of others or Lord of the Church. He must be Lord of your life. Give your all for His all. Live as if there were no one in this world but you and Him. He calls to each of us: “Son! Daughter! Give Me your heart, your love.”

When He is truly our Master, we will obey His commands. It is pointless to call Him “Lord, Lord” and not do what He says. We must have a quick ear and a ready foot. “Go, tell!” He still commands us today.

Prayer

Open our eyes, Lord, to see Christ’s face watching over us in our daily work and duties. Give us ears to hear Your voice, and may we follow You in doing good whenever the opportunity arises. Amen.