Today's Reflection

MARY'S WORLD has been turned upside down. Jesus has died. What can she do; where can she go? She decides to go to Jesus’ tomb to be with him. There, Jesus appears to her, though she doesn’t recognize him. Jesus asks her, “Why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” The second question is almost exactly the same as the question Jesus asks his disciples in John 1:38: “What are you looking for?” The question is still about seeking. Mary Magdalene is searching for Jesus. She cries because she doesn’t know what to do or where to go without him. Then Jesus speaks her name. And she recognizes him. “Rabbouni!” she exclaims. He is her teacher, the one whom she follows, whom she seeks. Our question for today is this: Who or what are we seeking? What would bring us sorrow if it were lost? Our answer may not be (at least not exclusively) Jesus. If so, we can be honest with Jesus about that. When we listen for Jesus to speak our name, no matter how often we get confused or distracted, we know that he is always and everywhere seeking us.

—Matthew Croasmun
Let Me Ask You a Question: Conversations with Jesus (Upper Room Books, 2018)

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Today's Question

Who are you looking for?  

Today's Scripture

When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.”
—John 1:38-39a (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Lord, help me know the difference between what you ask of me and what the world asks of me. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

• • Jeremiah 2:4-13
  • Psalm 81:1, 10-16
  • Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16
  • Luke 14:1, 7-14

Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.

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