FEAST OF ST MARY MAGDALENE JULY 22, 2022

Penitent Mary Magdalene

Caravaggio

MASS READINGS

A reading of the holy Gospel according to Jn 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

"We don’t know where they put him.”

"I don’t know where they laid him.”

Jesus exorcised seven demons from Mary Magdalene. She was lost and Jesus found her. After His death, she longed for Him. She was not able to find Him.

She wept at the tomb and wondered out loud "We don’t know where they put him.”

"I don’t know where they laid him.”

The disciples went back home once they realized the Lord was missing. Yet Mary Magdalene stayed behind and wept. She refused to leave. And in so remaining and persevering, she was the only one to see Him.

Yes, Jesus seeks us. And we, in turn, persevere in staying with Him. Having lived a life of the world and its many demands, Mary Magdalene was well aware of who Jesus was and of the only One who gave her peace and love.

Mary Magdalene left her sinful past behind and looked always to spend time with Him. Why does Mary Magdalene inspire us? Jesus can save and redeem all, there are no exceptions. Jesus will stay with us if we seek Him and hang on to Him. Persevere in prayer--call out to Jesus, breathe Him in and hold on tight to Him.

Rest in the presence of God.

God Bless You.