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April 22, 2014

Unlike the others who were with her in the morning of the resurrection, Mary of Magdala, because of her great love for Christ, remained by the tomb looking for him. It was her perseverance in seeking Christ that gained her the reward of finding what she sought for. Mary of Magdala is a figure of the bride of Christ. After Pentecost, according to tradition, Mary lived for some period in the desert, living only on the bread of the Eucharist before she went to France to evangelize. Her intense love for Jesus was enough for her to live. All of us, whether male or female, are called to be brides of Christ, to have Christ as the meaning of our existence. Let us not tire of seeking him even when it seems like we are facing an empty tomb, which may be the darkness or death we experience in life. Jesus will meet us there. When we approach Christ, he will appear to us even in a surprising manner. The Lord is just waiting for us in the deserts of our lives where he will reveal himself and speak to our hearts.

In the Acts of the Apostles, the Lord touches the hearts of 3,000 men through the preaching of the apostles. They believe in the preaching and ask for baptism. The miracle of the resurrection now begins to change the face of the earth as the Christian community starts to grow by leaps and bounds. Christ is truly risen!

One Bread, One Body

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All Issues > Volume 30, Issue 3

<< Tuesday, April 22, 2014 >>

Easter Week

Acts 2:36-41
View Readings

Psalm 33:4-5, 18-20, 22

John 20:11-18
Similar Reflections

"YOUR WILL BE DONE" (Mt 6:10)

"Do not cling to Me." —John 20:17

After suffering the severe trauma of seeing her beloved Jesus crucified, Mary Magdalene was ecstatic when the risen Jesus appeared to her on Easter morning. The two things that Mary wanted to do more than anything else were to embrace Jesus and stay with Him. However, the two things that Jesus told her to do were to stop clinging to Him and to go away from Him (Jn 20:17).

You'd think this would be a monumental interior struggle for Mary, given the incredible emotions felt and intense love she had. Yet look what Mary did! She instantly relinquished her deepest desires and joyfully fulfilled Jesus' commands. She released Jesus and left Him in instant obedience to His command to tell the disciples the good news of His resurrection (Jn 20:18). The Gospel reports no protests from Mary, only her unhesitating obedience.

It's likely that Mary could yield to Jesus' will so perfectly because before Jesus commanded her, He addressed Mary by name (Jn 20:16). When we know Jesus loves us in such a personal, intimate way, we are so completely reassured of His personal love for us that all our other desires melt away. All we need is His love.

Are you struggling with something the Lord is asking you to do? Be assured of His risen love for you. If you were the only person on earth, Jesus would still have died and risen just for you. Nothing can separate you from His love (Rm 8:39). Therefore, go and carry His risen, personal love to a lost and hurting world.

Prayer: "Rabbouni!" "My Lord and my God!" (Jn 20:16, 28)

Promise: "Three thousand were added that day." —Acts 2:41

Praise: Alleluia! Praise the Risen Jesus, Whose love is more powerful than death!