Rabbouni

A ray of rising sun

Escaped the mists of morning

To seek the Risen One

His sight with light adorning.

It caught and touched His eye,

Caressed His ruddy cheek,

But I, He would deny

This consolation seek.

For though we stood apart

He penetrated through

The prison of my heart

To press my essence new,

Where He alone could go

So I with Him would see

What He alone could know

That I with Him would be.

My Master taught me this:

That naming me was grace,

His everlasting kiss,

A most profound embrace.

Assenting now to ascending Son,

Beholding still, to His own I run.

Reflecting on today's Gospel of Mary Magdalene meeting the Risen Christ, a sister wondered why Jesus did not allow Mary to hold Him.  Perhaps it was that Jesus had already so penetrated into Mary’s heart to be with her in such a profound way that any physical embrace would not only be entirely superfluous, but even inhibiting.  No need for the sign when one has the reality! Not to say that the physical touch is bad, just not needed here.