“I Have Seen the Lord!”

by Deacon Lorna Goodison on April 14, 2022

Our forty days of Lenten penance transport us to Easter Sunday when we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection and the hope of new life in Him. Candles representing the light of Christ will be lit on the altar. We will participate in an uplifting liturgy that retells Jesus’ victory over sin and death. We will sing joyful hymns of triumph and raise our voices in loud alleluias!   

This Sunday’s gospel (John 20:1-18) teaches us that our celebration truly begins when we “see” or encounter the power of the Risen Christ. The memory of Jesus’ intense agony and death lingered in the minds of Mary Magdalene, Peter, and the beloved disciple. In their sorrow, they saw an empty tomb, no Jesus. They struggled to understand what happened. They could not think of resurrection even though Jesus told them repeatedly He would rise after three days.  Discouraged, Peter and the beloved disciple returned to their homes, but in her pain and enduring faithfulness, Mary remained by the tomb. And she saw, she encountered the Risen Lord, not only with her physical eyes but also her spiritual eyes!

Mary knew she was standing in the sacred presence of the One who raised Lazarus, Jairus’ daughter and the son of the widow of Nain from death. But Jesus, by conquering His own death and resurrection, demonstrated His power not only to restore to ordinary life but to bring forth new life, eternal life. Mary knew that Jesus had mystically promised that all who believe in Him would not perish but have eternal life. Mary knew that on the cross, before His last breath, He promised the repentant thief that he would be with Him in Paradise. And she put the pieces together. Jesus’ words and deeds were hints of His everlasting glory and His invitation for us to share His glory with the Father. Her mourning was transformed into joy and excitement, new hope, new life!

Her spiritual eyes now open, the Risen Christ chooses Mary to be the first apostle to declare His resurrection! She goes to the disciples and proclaims, “I have seen the Lord.”

How do we “see” the Risen Christ today? We encounter the Risen Christ in the Eucharist when His body and blood become our very nourishment. We encounter Christ when we experience pain, betrayals, sickness, chaos, disappointments, and prayerfully present them to Jesus. He lovingly offers us hope, peace, and new life.  We encounter the Risen Christ when we take time to seek Him in the stillness of our hearts. We encounter the Risen Christ when we humbly surrender pride and ego to lovingly work for reconciliation with God and our neighbors.  

This Sunday, we will renew our Baptismal vows to remind us that in Baptism we began our journey in the new life of Christ’s resurrection. We will then be sent on our way with a grand alleluia that urges us to express, like Mary, the joy and hope of Christ’s resurrected life in the world.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are the lamb that was sacrificed. Alleluia! Lord Jesus, you were raised from the dead on the third day. Alleluia! Lord Jesus, you bring peace, joy, and new life. Alleluia!!

Tags: jesus, resurrection, hope, victory, faithfulness, new life, eternal life, risen christ

About the Author
Deacon Lorna Goodison

Reverend Lorna Goodison was ordained to the Diaconate on April 29, 2007. After discerning a call to ordained ministry, Deacon Lorna completed a process of spiritual discernment and pursued three years of study at the Diocesan School for Christian Studies. She also completed three units of hospice care training through Vitas and for a short while she was a volunteer Chaplain. Highlights of her continuing education activities include a guided visit to Israel and attending the Festival of Homiletics in Boulder, Colorado.

Soon after her ordination, Deacon Lorna was called to serve as Deacon at St. Mary Magdalene. She initiated an outreach ministry to the homeless at St. Laurence Chapel, obtaining the support and involvement of most members of the congregation. This ministry remained a vibrant outreach of the Church until the Chapel closed in 2019.  Other outreach ministries formed include an informal group of members who stay in touch with members who are ill and shut-in. Deacon Lorna remains committed to both the in-reach and outreach ministries of the Church. She has led quiet day reflections for groups within and outside of St. Mary Magdalene. She has often led Deacon’s Masses at small churches without a priest. Of all the ministries in which Deacon Lorna participates, she is most humbled and grateful to be involved in the ministry of praying with congregants facing life’s challenges.

Deacon Lorna serves the Diocese of Southeast Florida as a member of the Disciplinary Committee. She also serves on the Board of Deacons.   

Professionally, Deacon Lorna worked for some years in Human Resource Departments as a Training Manager, but most of her working years were spent in Social Work. She worked with at-risk teenagers counselling them and guiding them to resources to build a meaningful future. The last twenty years of her profession, were spent working with Seniors, guiding them to the resources needed to maintain their safety and independence. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a master’s degree in Adult Education. She is now retired, cherishes some alone time for prayer and reflection, but divides her time between the Church and her family which consists of two daughters, their husbands and three grandchildren.

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