Guided Prayer Experience

We have to know Jesus before we can live Him. Perhaps this guided prayer experience will be helpful to you. The gospel account of the Risen Christ's appearance to Mary Magdalen in John 20:11-18 is one to which Francis de Sales had referred in a letter written to Jane de Chantal in July 1605. I suggest, if you are comfortable with this, that you replace Mary's name with your own throughout this story. In other words, let Jesus talk with you and call you by name whenever He says, 'Mary.' Notice the difference this makes in your responses and resolutions. In the first reading, pause and reflect at the end of each short section.

As you begin, remind yourself that you are in God's presence and ask for His guidance during this time of prayer . . . . . Now, imagine yourself near the tomb of Jesus and see Mary Magdalen standing there weeping. Visualize what happens.

Meanwhile Mary stayed outside the tomb, weeping. Then, still weeping, she stooped to look inside, and saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head, the other at the feet.

They said, 'Woman, why are you weeping?' 'They have taken my Lord away' she replied 'and I don't know where they have put him.'

As she said this she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, though she did not recognize him. Jesus said, 'Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?'

Supposing him to be the gardener, she said, 'Sir, if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and remove Him.'
Jesus said, ' Mary!', (Substitute your name.) She knew him then and said to him in Hebrew, 'Rabboni!' - which means Master.

Jesus said to her, 'Do not cling to me, because I have not yet ascended to my father and your Father, to my God and your God.'

So Mary of Magdala went and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord and that he had said these things to her."

Noli Me Tangere

by Correggio

Image: Courtesy of

Pauly Fongemie

Here are Francis de Sales comments on the essence of this story.

Jesus Appears to

Mary Magdalene

Fontana Uffizi Gallery

Mary peers into the tomb. The angels say, 'Woman, why are you weeping?' Francis adds, 'Woman why do you weep? You must have a resolute heart and a firm desire to live and die loving God. Do not be dismayed by your feelings of helplessness.'

Then Mary turns and sees the gardener. Jesus says, 'Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for? Francis adds, 'Courage, my daughter, let us not be overeager and restless. Jesus is with us, we are not separated from him, at least I firmly hope so. 'Woman, why do you weep?'

Mary rushes to Him calling out, Rabboni! Jesus says, 'Mary, _____, Do not cling to me. I have not yet ascended to my father and your father.' Francis adds, 'In heaven, there will be no more barriers, here we must put up with them. We must be satisfied that God is our God and that our heart is his dwelling place.'

So Mary went and told the disciples all that the Lord had said to her.

Responses and Resolutions: Ponder these questions and statements for a few moments as you come to the close of this time of prayer.
Identify your feelings and response to this passage. (Pause) What is your response to Jesus as He says your name? (Pause) How do you feel about this invitation to carry the good news to others. (Pause) What does this invitation mean for you at this moment in your life? (Pause) Verbalize the resolution you have made as a result of Jesus' invitation to you during this prayer time. (Pause)

Closing: Spend a moment in thanksgiving, petition, and praise.
Thank Mary Magdalene for sharing this experience of Jesus with you and ask her to help you be an apostle of the Good News too. (Pause) Entrust all your special intentions to Mother Mary that she may intercede with Jesus for you and them. (Pause) Pray a Hail Mary. (Pause)

Spiritual Nosegay: Finally pick out a thought or insight that was specially meaningful to you during your prayer to become your spiritual nosegay.

Now it is time to end your formal prayer and to begin living it.