NOTES for Joh 20:11-18

Standing at the tomb, Mary does not analyze how the enormous stone could have been rolled away; even the sight of angels neither terrifies nor surprises her. All the miraculous and unusual phenomena recede into the background for her; they have no meaning without Christ. Had she become distracted by the surrounding circumstances, she might not have noticed the Risen One, just as even His closest disciples, who had been nearby only moments before, did not see Him. But because Mary refused to be distracted even by all the wonders taking place that morning, she was able to see Christ standing beside her.

Mary recognized the Risen One after He addressed her by name. It was not in vain that He spoke of the good shepherd who calls his sheep by name and whose voice the sheep know. But none of the kindest earthly shepherds has such unity with those who follow Him as Christ does. He asks her not to touch Him not because He does not want to commune with one of humanity’s daughters, but because the moment has come for Him to depart to the Father. When He has come to the Father, He will remain in the closest possible union with His faithful who remain on earth.