John 20:15
“Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” [New American Standard]
When I finally started going to church after becoming a Christian, I ended up at a Pentecostal Church called the Rock Church on East 62nd Street in Manhattan. At that time, the service time suited me quite well, 3:30 in the afternoon. The pastor, whose name eludes me now, was from Norway. He brought this scripture from John 20:15 to light for me one Sunday and it’s stayed with me ever since.
Mary didn’t recognize Jesus because he looked ordinary. And this is the message for us today. Jesus is among us in the ordinary. So often, we hope for the extraordinary: a miracle, a healing, a transformation. And these are all fine to pursue, but we must remember Jesus in the commonplace. He is the person on the road holding the “Slow” sign; he is the person at the toll booth; he is the bus driver; he is the cable guy.
Life is a gift. Each day has its mysteries. But let us not forget the every day occurrences and people.
Today, Rabboni, make me mindful of your presence in the things and people I take for granted… in the things and people I have relegated to “unimportant” or “insignificant.”
Meditations from Zion 