Rabbouni

Tuesday in the Octave of Easter

By Melanie Rigney

Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)

The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. (Psalm 33:5b)

(Mary Magdalene) 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. (John 20:15-16)

Piety

Rabbouni! Blessed be Your name, today and always.

Study

It is one of the most soul-stirring moments in film, the point in 1962’s The Miracle Worker when the young Helen Keller, played by Patty Duke, blind and deaf since infancy, understands that the finger manipulations that have been pounded into her hand by Anne Sullivan, played by Anne Bancroft, have meaning and can release her from the prison that has been her life. We call it the “water” moment, but even more profound a couple minutes later is when Helen, having found the words that mean “pump,” “tree,” “ground,” “step,” “bell,” “mother,” and “papa,” turns back to Sullivan, questioning. “Teacher,” Sullivan spells and says.

Consider the case of Mary Magdalene. Her world has been lacking its light since Friday. It is Sunday morning. She, much like Helen Keller, cannot see or hear what is in front of her, the risen Jesus, believing him to be the gardener. It is when Jesus calls her not “woman,” but by her name, Mary, that she recognizes the greatest Teacher of them all.

Whether our vision and hearing are clouded by physical defects, fear, pride, or any other factors, may we open our hearts and souls to the Good News in all the ways in which It manifests Itself to us. Jesus Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed!

Action

Resolve to recognize the Teacher in your life today, from the moment your eyes open until they are ready to close tonight.