Saint Mary Magdalene (Feast)
I have seen the Lord. (John 20:18)
Mary Magdalene, whose feast we celebrate today, was a close follower of the Lord—and for good reason. Jesus had delivered her from not one, but seven, demons! In gratitude for her healing, she joined the band of women who helped provide for Jesus on his journey from Galilee to Jerusalem (Luke 8:2-3). Imagine how she must have felt seeing him perform miracles and hearing him preach every day. Imagine too the degree of loyalty it took for Mary to stand by his cross on Good Friday. Most of the other disciples had fled in fear at his arrest, but she stood by him, a true disciple to the end (John 19:25).
Mary’s devotion continued even after Jesus died. While everyone else remained hidden, she went to the tomb to perform one last act of love: to anoint his body according to Jewish tradition. She was grief-stricken, but she wanted to honor the memory of all Jesus had done for her. Then her sorrow was turned into joy when she discovered, first, an empty tomb, and then, Jesus, risen from the dead!
Calling her by name, Jesus freed Mary again—this time from grief. He revived her with a single word, “Mary.” Her single-word reply, “Rabboni,” contained not only relief and joy but also a pledge of undying faith.
Jesus is full of surprises, isn’t he? He first appeared, not to the rulers of Israel and not to the twelve apostles, but to a woman with a troubled past. He chose her as the first witness of the resurrection, the one who would have the honor of being the “apostle to the apostles.” He chose someone unexpected, someone many would have disregarded, for one of the greatest honors of history.
Whatever bondage Mary had suffered and whatever sins she may have committed, none of this disqualified her in Jesus’ eyes. You aren’t disqualified either, whether by your past sins or your current weaknesses. After all, this is why Jesus came: to free us from everything that binds us and to fill us with joy. He calls us each by name and seeks to fill us with hope so that we, too, can become his witnesses.
“Jesus, you are my hope! My heart rejoices at the sound of your voice. Make me a witness of your resurrection.”
Exodus 12:37-42
Psalm 136:1, 23-24, 10-15
Daily Marriage Tip for July 22, 2017:
(Reader’s Tip) In each challenging situation I strive to remember that this man [my husband] is God’s amazing gift to me, and that God trusts me to love him with the same love God has for us.