Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 20,1-2.11-18.
On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb.
So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.”
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.”
When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus.
Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.”
Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher.
Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'”
Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and what he told her.
Mary Magdalene, from Sinner to Missioner
- It was still dark: Not everything is crystal clear. You may clearly see the goal, but you may not be able to see the path leading you there. This will happen throughout your life. You will have to walk through darkness, but with faith, you will make it. Do not get lost in the darkness, pray for clarity.
- She went running: In her encounter with Jesus, a union of feelings emerged within her. The encounter was so profound with Jesus, that it led her to become an evangelizer. She goes out and announces the Good News. Now it is your turn. If you have encountered Jesus, go out and evangelize because there are many who still don’t know that Christ lives.
- Rabboni: Mary recognizes Jesus once He speaks her name. She knew it was Him from how He spoke and through His mannerisms. The closer our relationship is with God, the easier it is to see Christ in others. Just like Mary recognized Jesus, we too can recognize Him in our lives. Be aware that every sinner can become a witness of love. Don’t keep looking at what people accuse you of or what people say about you; keep looking at the Resurrected Jesus to go and announce Him.
God bless you in the name of The Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit…and do not forget: Heaven is Our Goal!
