July 22, 2009
Memorial of Saint Mary Magdalene
Then Moses said to Aaron, "Tell the whole Israelite community: Present yourselves before the LORD, for he has heard your grumbling." When Aaron announced this to the whole Israelite community, they turned toward the desert, and lo, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud! Exodus 16:9-10
But Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken my Lord, and I don't know where they laid him." John 20:11-13
Piety
Jesus, as you called Mary Magdalene, call us by name when we stand at the tomb of ambiguity and cannot recognize you. Like her, let us proclaim: “I have seen the Lord!” Send us out as you sent her to be an apostle in proclaim through our prayer and ministry that you are risen and live among us – that disciples will be made of all the nations – and all will come to know that you are with us always as our Way, our Truth, and our Life. Amen. (From the People’s Companion to the Breviary, Vol. II)
Study
If Jesus were an actor, we might say that he certainly does know how to make an entrance for maximum effect. The Lord appears in the most unlikely circumstances. The Jews were wandering in the desert and were upset that they had lost the security and comfort of Egypt for the unknown future. Into their midst during this time of crisis, the Lord appeared and provided comfort and food for the Jews to eat in the desert.
After an early morning visit to the tomb, Mary noticed that the stone had been rolled away so she ran to get the disciples. After Peter and John inspected the tomb, they left but Mary remained behind weeping. Along and upset, the Lord appeared to her in one of her lowest moments.
Mary desired to remain in the presence of Christ even after he was tried, convicted, executed and buried. Even after the disciples went home, Mary remained behind in search of her Lord standing fast in exhibiting her love for the Lord in this time of crisis for herself personally and for the early Church.
When Jesus appears, Jesus first addresses her as “Woman.” To her he poses the same question he posed to the disciples at the beginning of Johns Gospel. “What are you looking for?” And when Jesus then addresses her by name, she has an “epiphany” moment. [In John 1:38: Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher), "where are you staying?"]
Mary Magdalene continues the same search that was begun in the opening of John’s Gospel and also provides the same response as she recognizes Jesus and calls out "Rabbouni," which means Teacher – again the same way the first two disciples addresses Jesus in John 1.
By persevering in her search, Mary achieves a close moment with Christ that sets the example upon which we can follow: Continue to search and persevere until Christ calls you by name. In the course of this one day, Mary went from not knowing where the Jesus of her desire had been laid to becoming the first person to witness the resurrection. She announced to the disciples the fruits of her search: “I have seen the Lord.”
Action
Are you ready to present yourself before the Lord in times of trouble?
When do you experience moments closest to Christ? Is it when you are happy and at peace? Or does Jesus reach out to you when you are faced with your most troubled situations?
What are you looking for in these hours? How will you answer Christ when he asks you the same questions? Will your actions exhibit the endurance of Mary? When you are rewarded with experiencing the presence of Christ in the present moment, to whom will you announce it?
