Reflection: Jesus said to Mary of Magdala, "Stop holding onto Me..."

Woman, why are you weeping? John 20:13

But Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken my Lord, and I don't know where they laid Him." When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" She thought it was the gardener and said to Him, "Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take Him." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni," which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, "Stop holding on to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to My brothers and tell them, 'I am going to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.'" Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and what He told her. John 20:11-18

Meditation:

Place yourself at the tomb. Mary is weeping and so are you. Suddenly, Jesus is standing there in your midst. At first, you do not recognize him. Then He calls you by name and you know it is Jesus. He is truly risen!  You embrace Him and He looks at you with great love and says, "Stop holding on to me...Go to My brothers and tell them" 

Are you holding onto something you love but you know, in your heart, that you have to let go? Do you know how to let go? 

We can only let go with God's grace.  He wants us to "die to self" and to let go of attachments to the world and to people. Once we let go, He will fill us with His love, peace and joy. Then He wants us to go and tell others about Him and His great love. Speak to Him now and ask Him to help you let go...

The promise is made to you and to your children, and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call. Acts 2:39

Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit after Pentecost. This promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit is for you and your loved ones. He will fill you with His peace, grace and courage. 

Jesus has risen from the dead!  Morning has broken.  Amen.  Alleluia!

Jesus is calling us to go and tell others about Him. We cannot hold onto Him or keep Him to ourselves. Jesus is commissioning us to go out and proclaim the Gospel. Turn to Our Blessed Mother Mary in prayer. She will bring them to her Beloved Son.