The Church recognizes the role of Mary Magdalene as one of the first witnesses to Christ resurrection and as a true and authentic evangelizer. In recognition of her important role in the history of the Catholic faith, Pope Francis raised the July 22 memorial of St. Mary Magdalene to a feast on the church's liturgical calendar back in 2016.
The Catholic faithful remember Mary Magdalene as one of the women who remained with Jesus throughout his suffering and death on the cross, in addition to being the first witness to his resurrection. Our reading from the Gospel of John today focuses upon her visit to Christ’s tomb. She arrives at his tomb, finding it empty, and she breaks down weeping. She does not recognize Jesus when he appears to her. She is blinding her grief and her own failings. She is overwhelmed by the death of Jesus and by her our struggles.
We hear Jesus instruct Mary Magdalene to deliver a message to his disciples about his death and resurrection, that he is going to his father and our father, to his God and our God, instructing us that we have the ability to have a personal relationship with God. Through those instructions, Christ is teaching us that through his suffering and death, he has indeed transcended his earthly death and has opened the gates of heaven to us.
I think that we can relate to Mary Magdalene, because her journey is so relatable. We can be blinded by our own fears and our own hardships. However, the faith and courage of Mary Magdalene is an example of faith for all of us to follow. Mary Magdalene learns to have faith and trust in the presence of Christ’s love and mercy. Mary is the apostle to the apostles. She brings them news of Christ’s resurrection. Her witness was so important to the Early Church.
We honor Mary Magdalene today. We unite our prayers with her prayers.
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