Memorial of Saint Mary Magdalene

Today's Mass Readings

Today is the feast of St. Mary Magdalene. We can see from today’s reading from the Gospel of John why she is often called in the tradition, the Apostle to the Apostles. The Gospels record how Mary Magdalene was, along with some other women disciples, the first to see Jesus’ empty tomb, and to see the risen Lord. Jesus chose to reveal the mystery of His resurrection first to women, who were so marginalized in the society of the time. So St. Mary Magdalene was the one who brought the message of Christ’s resurrection to Peter, the leader of the early apostles. Today’s first reading from the Book of the Prophet Micah may not seem to go with the Gospel reading at first glance. But when we recognize that we are all sinners, as was St. Mary Magdalene, the other women at the tomb, St. Peter and St. John, the primary human actors in the scene involved in today’s Gospel reading when read in its larger context, we recognize that the message of Micah is not only for Jerusalem of old, but for us as well. God indeed will show us His wonderful marvels, if we repent. God will pardon us, but even more: God “removes guilt and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance.” God “does not persist in anger forever, but delights rather in clemency” (Micah 7:18). It is our God Who “will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins” (Micah 7:19).

Thus, we too, like Mary Magdalene, are called to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ. We have been forgiven from all our sins. This should cause us immense joy. We need to share that joy with others, just as St. Mary Magdalene, St. Peter, and the rest of the early Christians shared their joy with others. Let us go and never cease telling others, by our words and actions of love and service, the many marvels the Lord has worked for us.

Jeff Morrow