Family Liturgies

Family Liturgy: Called by Name (John 20)

–from Erika Marksbury

Scripture Reading: John 20:1-18, NRSV



Thoughts on Scripture

There’s a lot about this story that doesn’t make sense. How could Mary see Jesus, but not know that it was him? How could she have a conversation with him, and not know that it was him? Some people suggest she’s so sad about Jesus’ death, she can hardly see or hear or understand anything through her grief. I think it’s amazing, in light of all of that, that when Mary hears her own name, everything becomes suddenly and perfectly clear. She didn’t need an explanation of how resurrection works. She didn’t need to reevaluate her theology to include this new development. She just needed to hear her own name. The sound of her name reminded her that she was known by Jesus, a part of his community. She was not alone, even in her deep sadness and confusion. I can’t help but wonder if maybe it was the promise and the comfort in those reminders that helped her to believe that new life was possible – for Jesus, and maybe for her, too.

Questions to Discuss

– Why do you think Peter and the other disciple left after they’d seen the empty tomb? Why do you think Mary stayed? If you had been there, would you have gone with Peter or stayed with Mary? Why?

– Why do you think Mary did not recognize Jesus when she first saw him?

– How do you think Mary felt when she heard Jesus say her name?

– Have you ever mistakenly identified someone? (Or did anyone ever think you were somebody else?) Why did that happen? How did the confusion get cleared up?

Spiritual Practice

When Mary hears Jesus call her name, she knows suddenly who he is – her being known makes her knowing possible. For this week’s spiritual practice, think of some ways you can remind people around you that they are known, and loved, by making a big deal out of their names. You might…

-decorate place cards for the people in your family, and put them out at meals.


-sing that silly song (Mary-Mary-Bo-Barry-Banana-Fanna-Fo-Farry-Me-My-Mo-Mary… Mar-ry!) as a family, singing everyone’s name once.

-sit down as a family and share the stories of what your names each mean (look up meanings if you don’t know), and have parents tell the stories of why they chose the names they did for their kids.

-consider all the names for God and Jesus in the scriptures – a (very) partial list might include: I Am, Shepherd, Peace, The One Who Provides, God-With-Us, The Everlasting One, The Bread of Life, The Light of the World. Talk about which of these names is meaningful to you, and why.


Jesus, Gardener.
Jesus, Teacher.
Jesus, Risen One.
We celebrate that the stone has been rolled away,
and that the tomb is empty.
We know it means that God’s love is without end –
even death cannot hold it.
We give thanks for that love
that lives forever.
We give thanks for that love
that embraces each of us, and calls us by name.
Having been so loved,
teach us to love one another.

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