ST MARY MAGDALENE, Apostle of the Apostles : Friday 22nd July 2022

When Mary of Magdala goes to the tomb, she sees that the stone covering the entrance has been removed. She runs to Simon Peter and the other disciple and says, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb….” It is a natural reaction because she does not yet believe. After Peter and the other disciple come to the tomb and see what has happened, they leave. Mary is now alone again. Mary feels deprived because her Lord has been taken and laments at His absence.

But she “seeks” Jesus in faith, and through a unique faith experience, she comes to “see” Jesus as her risen Lord. Her faith, however, is a gift of Jesus, for He leads her to recognise Him in faith. When He calls her by name, He invites her personally to faith in Him as her risen Lord. He also tells her not to cling to Him. “Clinging” expresses the notion of intimate attachment to, or communion with, Jesus. Jesus assures her that she will receive this gift of intimate communion when He has ascended to His Father; that is, when He goes to His Father and sends the Holy Spirit.

Through the Holy Spirit, Christians enter into intimate, life-giving communion with Jesus, the Son of God. Now the risen Jesus is transformed, and He will communicate Himself in a new and more personal way through His Holy Spirit. Through faith, the gift of the Spirit, disciples share in the divine life of the Father as His children and this life is present in Jesus.

Lord, help me “see” and “believe” in You.