ACC ~ John 20 v15

ALONG WITH MARY MAGDALENE

GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS: Be the first to see the stone taken away, and perhaps you will see the angels and Jesus himself. Say something. Hear his voice. If he says to you, “Do not touch me,” [1] stand far away. Reverence the Word, but do not grieve because he knows those to whom he appears first. ON HOLY EASTER, ORATION 45.24. [2]

[1] Jn 20:17.

[2] NPNF 2 7:432*.

JESUS SPURS MARY’S DESIRE STILL MORE

GREGORY THE GREAT: Jesus says to her, “Woman, why do you weep?” He asked the reason for her sorrow to increase her longing still more, so that when he asked whom she was seeking she might feel a more fervent love for him. FORTY GOSPEL HOMILIES 25. [1]

[1] CS 123:192**.

JESUS AVOIDS FRIGHTENING MARY

THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: And our Lord acted this way so that when she suddenly sees the one who she thought was beyond hope of ever seeing again because she still thought he was dead, she might not be overcome with emotion and think that he was some demonic apparition. He also wanted her first to speak to him gradually, as to a man, and after she had realized that she was speaking to a real man, she might finally understand who he was and at the same time might believe and admire the greatness of the event. COMMENTARY ON JOHN 7.20.11-14. [1]

[1] CSCO 4 3:348.

JESUS THE SPIRITUAL GARDNER

GREGORY THE GREAT: Perhaps this woman was not as mistaken as she appeared to be when she believed that Jesus was a gardener. Was he not spiritually a gardener for her when he planted the fruitful seeds of virtue in her heart by the force of his love? But why did she say to the one she saw and believed to be the gardener, when she had not yet told him whom she was seeking, “Sir, if you have taken him away”? She had not yet said who it was who made her weep from desire or mentioned him of whom she spoke. But the force of love customarily brings it about that a heart believes everyone else is aware of the one of whom it is always thinking. … After he had called her by the common name of “woman,” he called her by her own name, as if to say, “Recognize him who recognizes you.”… And so because Mary was called by name, she acknowledged her creator and called him at once “Rabboni,” that is, “teacher.” He was both the one she was outwardly seeking and the one who was teaching her inwardly to seek him. FORTY GOSPEL HOMILIES 25. [1]

[1] CS 123:192-93**.

THE GARDENER OF PARADISE

JEROME: When Mary Magdalene had seen the Lord and thought that he was the gardener … she was mistaken, indeed, in her vision, but the very error had its prototype. Truly, indeed, Jesus was the gardener of his paradise, of his trees of paradise. “She thought that he was the gardener” and wanted to fall at his feet. What does the Lord say to her? “Do not touch me, for I have not yet ascended to my Father.” Do not touch me. You do not deserve to touch the one you looked for in a grave. Do not touch me whom you only suppose, but do not believe, has arisen. Do not touch me, for to you I have not yet ascended to my Father. When you believe that I have ascended to my Father, then, it will be your privilege to touch me. HOMILY 87, ON JOHN 1:1-14. [1]

[1] FC 57:220*. See also Jerome Letter 39.6.