“Do not hold on to me”
John 20: 17 (NIV)
Many reactions came in at the HiP office, after the television broadcast of my life story. Some of these reactions were from people who had experienced the loss of having to let go of a loved one. In my case it was my mother, whom I loved dearly.
Sometimes you have to let go people who you love. For example your children when they are leaving home, a friend who is going on a long journey, a first unrequited love, and so on. Quite often a paradox occurs: sense (letting go) and emotion (holding on) are fighting for precedence. Letting go often goes together with pain. Where does this pain come from? Pain lies in the fact that humans are made to be in relationship with each other, to be joined together in love with another human being. Creation is about relationships (with God and fellow human beings) and when relationships are broken it hurts.
The touching story of Mary Magdalene, 
who meets Jesus after his resurrection is recorded in John 20. Mary weeps for the loss of her beloved Master. Personally, I believe that Jesus and Mary had a special relationship. They had a close friendship; it wasn’t a matrimonial bond or sexual relationship, otherwise, such an important given would have been mentioned in the Bible. The Bible says that Jesus was exposed to all temptations, so why not the attractiveness of a woman? But He kept to His task and calling, given to Him by his Father. What was left, to me, was a pure, sincere love for Mary. Jesus revealed Himself after his resurrection firstly and with good reason to Mary!
Remarkable is that Mary wasn’t allowed to touch Him, while others were allowed to do so. The other women grabbed His ankles and Thomas even had to touch Him because of his disbelief. Apparently there is a difference in who you are allowed to hold on to.
Mary wasn’t allowed to touch Jesus, because that would mean holding on. And that wasn’t possible. Jesus still had work to do, Mary had to let Him go. Some people you can hold on to, to love them, protect them and to take care of them. Other people you need to let go. In both cases, actually in our whole life, love is central. It’s just expressed differently.
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