Through Tears We See Glory

John 20: 10-18 Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

This story holds wonderful memories for me. On both the occasions I was privileged to be cast as Jesus in Tony Harrison’s ‘Mysteries’ (with The Guild Players in Finchley and later with  Matthew Dickinson Productions in Friern Barnet, both in London) the scene where Mary recognises Jesus was one filled with the most intense emotion and startling beauty. Though surrounded by the audience (these were promenade performances) we were quite alone and the peace of the garden was loud in our ears.

For me, after the harrowing scenes of the crucifixion, the appearances were scenes in which I was, at one and the same time, filled with calm and bursting with abundant life. For the actresses playing Mary, this was a time to express the most profound sadness and the greatest sense of loss. No one who watched could fail to be deeply moved.

Why did Mary fail to recognise Jesus? She knew Him as well as any of his friends. It could have been that He was so greatly changed. Maybe, but I believe it is more likely that it was her tears that prevented her from recognising Him. So great was her grief; so overwhelming was her anxiety, that she could not see His radiant glory through her tears. It was not until Jesus said her name, ‘Mary’, in a way that was unmistakably His, that she recognised her Lord and Master and replied, ‘Rabboni’.

How desperately was she to find Him, to hold Him, to mourn Him, she had not even thought out how she could possibly take care of the body. Now he was here, standing in front of her, calling her name and with work for her to do.

Profound grief can easily overtake us. It can often blind us to the reality of what lies before us. It is right that we should enter into a period of grieving after losing a loved one but we should remember for whom we grieve. As Christians we acknowledge that when we die we go to a better place; to be with our heavenly Father. So for whom do we grieve? We grieve for ourselves, our loss, our loneliness, our wretchedness and there is nothing wrong with these times which are essentially selfish. But through our tears we should never fail to see the glory that lies beyond.

Those without hope see only the grave and end; those with Christian hope look up and see heaven beyond.

Like Mary I have met Jesus and, through my tears I see glory.

Risen Lord, however great our grieving,
at times of profound loss and unbearable pain,
when our tear will not cease,
call us by our names
so that we can look up
and see your glory shining.
Amen.

© Robert Alderman