The Gospel according to John (20:1-2, 11-18)
On the first day of the week,
Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early in the morning,
while it was still dark,
and saw the stone removed from the tomb.
So she ran and went to Simon Peter
and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,
“They have taken the Lord from the tomb,
and we don’t know where they put him.”
Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping.
And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb
and saw two angels in white sitting there,
one at the head and one at the feet
where the Body of Jesus had been.
And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”
She said to them, “They have taken my Lord,
and I don’t know where they laid him.”
When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there,
but did not know it was Jesus.
Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?
Whom are you looking for?”
She thought it was the gardener and said to him,
“Sir, if you carried him away,
tell me where you laid him,
and I will take him.”
Jesus said to her, “Mary!”
She turned and said to him in Hebrew,
“Rabbouni,” which means Teacher.
Jesus said to her,
“Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father.
But go to my brothers and tell them,
‘I am going to my Father and your Father,
to my God and your God.'”
Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples,
“I have seen the Lord,”
and then reported what he told her.
Reflection:
Today, we remember St Mary Magdelene, perhaps the most prominent woman in the New Testament after the Blessed Virgin Mary. She is mentioned in all four of the Gospels and is especially remarkable for being a prominent disciple of Jesus, at a time that women were not allowed that kind of role. She’s also called the “Apostle to the Apostles”, particularly from the Gospel we hear today, where she was the first witness to the Risen Jesus.
I think there’s been a lot of confusion around the accounts of St Mary Magdelene, and I think that is at least partially due to the fact that there were so many Mary’s in the Gospel accounts. I mean, we have Jesus’ Mother, of course, as well as Mary of Bethany (sister of Martha & Lazarus). The Gospels also mention another Mary, who was wife of Clopas, and then we also have Mary Magdelene. I will say that my view of St Mary Magdelene now is colored somewhat by the portrayal of her character in the online program “The Chosen”. The actress who plays Mary Magdelene in that show, Liz Tabish, gives us a compelling picture of how complex a person Mary was. Mary Magdelene was portrayed as fiercely loyal to Jesus; as imperfect, often doubting her worthiness; and as the example of faith, so much so that she often was the disciple with the deepest faith
There’s so much we can learn from her. One lesson to highlight for today is this: it is okay to be imperfect. All of us are imperfect – we fail; we doubt; we choose to do other than what God calls us to do. But, just like she was redeemed (by having seven demons driven out of her as we hear in the Gospels), each of us can be redeemed. That is so heartening to me. There is nothing we can do to cause God *not* to want to save us.
We do still have to recognize that, acknowledge that we sinned, and then turn back to Him. That choice is entirely up to each of us. But, when we do, we are completely forgiven. What a wondrous gift that is! May we bear that in mind, and not just during the typical seasons of Lent & Advent. That door of forgiveness is open to you, right now. Today. And.. always.
Action for the Day:
How is your walk with God going here in mid-summer? Are you feeling a little off-course? If so, avail yourself of this wonderful gift through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Jesus is waiting there for you, and the answer is always “yes” when we ask for His forgiveness and absolution with a sincere and penitent heart. Don’t delay!
Link to the DEACON5 website: https://deacon5.com/
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