Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene
Today is the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene. Although she is remembered for many things, I think the most remarkable part of her story is her great love. Like St. Mary Magdalene, each of us is called by God into a relationship of love. When love of God becomes the foundation, the inspiration, and purpose for being then everything we think, do and say will be a witness to Christ in our world.
In today’s first reading, the Bride seeks with great longing “whom my heart loves.” She does not stop searching until she finds him. Although this story may seem more like a romantic novel or movie, God beckons each of us to find Him and be with Him. In each of us there is a restlessness that can only be satisfied by God and His love.
The Responsorial Psalm also describes the deep longing of the soul- “My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord, my God.” This deep thirst is responding to God’s kindness and His protection. God’s tenderness and love are revealed as God keeps us in the shadow of his wings and upholds us with His right hand. There is a sense that only when the soul rests in God will there be true peace and joy.
The gospel reading recounts Mary Magdalene’s journey to the empty tomb on Easter morning. Her great love for Jesus brings her here. Her weeping expresses her deep longing for Jesus and His presence. She has been with Him during His ministry, stood with Him at the foot of the cross and now comes to care for Him even when she believes Jesus has died. She longs for Jesus and His love, and she has shown her love for Him by being present during both the good and bad times. It is with great joy that she hears the risen Christ speak her name. Mary Magdalene’s great love of Jesus inspires her to go forth as the “apostle to the apostles” to tell the others that Christ is Risen! In the same way we are called as disciples to go forth in the love of God to share the Good News!
Most people have at least one individual where the bond of love they share is very deep. Whether it is a parent, a child, a spouse, a sibling, or a friend- these special connections are grounded on several things. To be in a loving relationship you need to make a commitment to that relationship, you need to spend time with that individual for the love to mature, and you need to be aware of the person’s presence and love in your life. This is true for our relationship with God as well.
We are called to seek and find God every day. To grow in our love it is essential to spend time with God. All good relationships are enriched with sharing and conversation. Sharing with God our joys and sorrows, and listening to God speak to us through prayer, scripture, and all of creation allows for us to grow in love. God is always with us, but we must become aware of His presence and recognize the many ways that God reveals His love to us. God will never push us to love or to be loved- true love always is based on a freedom to choose. The invitation is there- God shares many gifts and blessings to entice us to be in relationship- but the final decision rests with us.
Mary Magdalene’s love for Jesus was great, but I think that this love grew out of Jesus’ merciful and tender love for her. I believe that for us to grow in our love for God, we must first recognize and experience God’s limitless love for us. When we are loved deeply by another, we are attracted to this person, and we long to be in his or her presence. The stories from the scripture readings today describe individuals who long for, seek with great persistence, and are aware that they are loved greatly by another. This love then consumes all that they seek. When we become aware of God’s great love for us, we will become like Mary Magdalene and seek God’s love daily and go forth joyfully to share this love with others. Filled with this holy longing, we will no longer do things out of obligation or guilt, but we will do them for the love of God.
God our Father, Jesus shares with us your deep love for us. Through the grace of Your Spirit give us open hearts and minds that we may experience Your great love for us. Send us forth to share Your love with everyone in our daily lives, so all people may know Your presence. We pray this through Christ, our LORD. Amen.
- Marylynn Herchline