She turned and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbouni!’ (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, ‘Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” ’ Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord.’ — John 20:16-18
Resurrection
O Lord, teach us to see You without needing to hold on; not forgetting cross or tomb, our hopeless nights of heartbreak, but looking out for the dawn with new eyes to see Jesus transformed and transfiguring everything, seen and unseen. Hear Christ calling out to you, his beleaguered beloveds, broken and blessed. Turn, go, tell your brothers and sisters that you are running with joy to proclaim — He is risen!
Throughout Lent, Christ Church in Short Hills, where I serve as Rector, has sent out daily devotionals based on Visio Divina (divine seeing) using images from The Saint John’s Bible. We are in the midst of a season with the Gospels and Acts volume from this magnificent work.
This is my Easter reflection and the 10th poem I’ve written inspired by the Gospel of John, beginning with the prologue as my first post on Substack.
Word with God (John 1:1-14)
First Sign (2:1-11)
Bride (3:29)
She Said by the Well (4:5-42)
Searching Scripture (5:39-40)
Chase After that Full Feeling (Chapter 6)
Extravagant Scent (12:1-13)
Voice of Truth (Chapter 18)
Come Have Breakfast (21:1-17)
Q: What sparks your imagination in the image above? Email your reply or comment on the Substack app.