Mary did not recognize Jesus, not because her tears blinded her or because it was still dark. Seeing the Risen Jesus was not and never is a matter of mere physical sight: it always comes because of the prior gift of faith and love for Jesus in his humanity.

In contemplating the risen Christ, we must note two guiding facts: The first is the Resurrection as an event not described in the Gospels. The Gospels present accounts of the appearances of the risen Jesus. Therefore, our prayer is not oriented towards an event but always towards the person of Jesus. In this way, we can increase our faith and hope in him and our love for him.

The second fact, Jesus does not appear to those who are without faith or those who have rejected him. He appeared to those who believed in him and loved him, even if their faith was sometimes very fragile and their love still required strengthening by the coming of the Holy Spirit - people like ourselves. Jesus appeared to them to offer them - and to us - his love and acceptance and a new hope which would strengthen them.