This Easter season we testify to the pivotal moment of our faith, “Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen, indeed!” Pastors, Sunday School teachers, small group leaders, and Christians around the world, bear witness to the life-changing power of the resurrection.
This year, I am focusing on the Risen Christ who speaks directly to Mary, calling her by name.
“Mary,” in the midst of her grief, bewilderment, determination, and steadfastness.
“Mary!” the one who has been surrounded by violence and who knows what it means to be dismissed by others.
Jesus knows her name, “Mary.” And when he speaks her name, Mary knows with whom she is speaking. She responds, “Rabboni!”
Mary must have reached out to hold him, because he tells her not to do so. Instead, now is the time for Mary, and all disciples, including us, to go proclaim the good news. Like Mary, we share the good news with fellow disciples and with those who have yet to respond to God’s grace, particularly those who might be weary or even skeptical.
But the story neither stops in the garden nor in a room where the disciples hid. We are to bear witness to the Risen Lord even, and especially, in a world full of grief, bewilderment, violence and hate, with a determined commitment to the hope of the Risen Christ. Not only does the resurrected Christ change our lives, He transforms the world!
This Easter, the Foundation celebrates those who share this good news of an empty tomb. Our names have been called by the Risen Savior, and the world waits to hear more from us, “Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen, indeed!”
April 5, 2026
