Yesterday and today have been hard for me. You see, someone near to my heart is fighting for her life and I have spent much time in the hospital over the last 48 hours. We, the family members and friends, have prayed the Rosary together, we have hugged each other and we have cried. The next 48 hours will reveal whether my friend will live or die. Through it all I have been reflecting on my faith with much gratitude. I couldn’t imagine life without the trust I have in Jesus right now. Being Catholic I was able to reach out to my pastor who in turn is offering a Mass for my friend.
Then I pick up my Magnificat to read today’s readings and I learn that today’s Gospel is the memorial of Mary Magdalene – one of my favorite women in the bible. She loved our Lord with a deep and profound love I can only begin to understand. And yes, I have read the Gospel of Mary Magdalene and I enjoyed it. While the style is a bit difficult to read and understand, the love she held for our Lord is clear and pure.
Mary Magdalene – Lover of Jesus
Unfortunately Mary’s name was wrongfully tarnished in the early church and some Christians today still believe the lies that were spread about her, lies that told us she was a whore. Lies that were more than likely spread to thwart a cult following. While Mary Magdalene did suffer torment from seven demons, she was never a whore. She was however, a deep lover of Jesus Christ and he apparently held strong feelings towards her.
Also, I certainly do not believe that Jesus fathered a child with Mary Magdalene, nor do I believe they had inappropriate relations. Their love transcended the physical love that husbands and wives share, a love that most human beings will probably never fully understand. They shared an agape love, a profoundly rich love. How did they come to experience such deep love for one another? The answer is really very simple my friends. Jesus stood firm offering his perfect love, a love Mary personally experienced when he drove seven demons out of her. Mary in return accepted his love and loved him with all her heart.
Mary At The Tomb
However, the scene at the tomb in today’s Gospel leaves us with questions. Mary Magdalene was the first to see Jesus after his crucifixion and the encounter reveals to us again Mary’s deep love for the Lord and his love for her. Mary was sickened with grief, Jesus had just been brutally crucified and she feared his body had been removed. During this time in history families were not allowed to bury their loved ones convicted of crimes. The bodies were thrown in mass graves far from the town, left to decay and rot. So Mary sat at the tomb longing for the Lord with tear filled eyes and a heavy heart. She saw him through these tears and failed to recognize him at first, even after turning around to face Jesus she did not see him. Something clouded her vision.
Since Jesus requested that Mary not hold on to him we can assumed that his body somehow looked different. He was in the process of ascending to the Father – somewhere between his physical body and his glorified body. I am sure there is probably more involved and we can never know why she didn’t immediately recognize Jesus. However, Mary did eventually recognize Jesus when she heard his voice. What joy her heart must have experienced! So how can we see Jesus if Mary, the woman who Jesus loved so much, could not readily see him?
We Too Can Love Like Mary
Jesus offers this same love to each and every one of us. As we reflect on the works of many great saints we read language that is almost sensual in nature when they reveal the love relationship they share with our Lord. I can only imagine that their love is very similar to the love Mary shared with Jesus as well. All who seek him will find him, we just need to follow the path he lays before us – even when we don’t readily see him. Remember, Mary didn’t see him right away either.
We are all called to be saints, we are all invited into a deep and profound agape love with Jesus Christ and we too can experience such love even when our vision is clouded.
It’s time for me to say goodbye and go to the chapel here in the hospital and pray a Rosary for my friend. God bless all of you and your loved ones my friends. May we all come to love Jesus as much as Mary Magdalene did.
Mary Magdalene – pray for us.
Sacred Heart of Jesus – have mercy on us.
Today’s Readings: Songs 3:1-4; Psalm 63; John 20:1-2, 11-18
