Wednesday, Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene
John 20:1–2, 11–18
In the Gospel of John, Mary Magdalene has a remarkable place.
She stands at the foot of the cross, together with the mother of Jesus and the beloved disciple, at the hour of the Lord’s death.
Then, early on Sunday morning, while it is still dark, she comes to the tomb.
She is the first to discover that the stone has been taken away.
And in today’s Gospel, she becomes the first to see and speak with the risen Lord.
She is also the first to announce to the apostles:
“I have seen the Lord.”
For this reason, the Church calls her “the Apostle to the Apostles.”
Christianity does not begin as an idea.
It begins with a witness.
Someone met the risen Christ.
At first, Mary does not recognize Jesus.
She thinks He is the gardener.
But this mistake is full of truth.
The Bible begins in a garden.
In that first garden, humanity was created by God and called to care for His creation.
There stood the tree of life.
There also came sin, disobedience, fear, and death.
Now, in another garden, on the morning of the Resurrection, Jesus stands before Mary like a gardener.
He is the Lord of the new creation.
Sin has been defeated.
Death has been broken.
The cross has become the tree of life.
Grace has begun again.
Then Jesus says:
“Mary.”
And this changes everything.
The way He says her name opens her eyes.
There must have been something in that voice.
Only Jesus could call her name in that way.
Only Jesus could turn her grief into recognition.
Mary wants to hold on to Him.
She knows that her life depends on Him.
But Jesus sends her.
She has a mission.
The woman who came weeping to the tomb is sent running to the apostles.
The one who searched for the dead body of Jesus is sent to announce the living Lord.
Mary Magdalene shows us what happens when someone truly meets the Lord.
Grief becomes witness.
Searching becomes mission.
Tears become proclamation.
She came to the tomb looking for the One she had lost.
She left the garden sent by the One who had found her.
Saint Mary Magdalene, Apostle to the Apostles, pray for us.
Teach us to seek Christ with love.
Teach us to recognize Him when He calls our name.
And teach us to announce, with courage and joy:
“I have seen the Lord.”
Biblical Reflections on the Gospel of Matthew
Scripture Attribution
New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993
the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of
Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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