The Church recognizes the role of Mary Magdalene as one of the first witnesses to Christ resurrection and as a true and authentic evangelizer of the faith. In recognition of her important role in the history of the Catholic faith, in 2016, the Congregation of Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments conveyed Pope Francis’ decision to elevate the observance of St. Mary Magdalene from a memorial to a feast, raising her feast day status as being equal to the other apostles. This decree stated: “In our time the Church is called to reflect in a more profound way on the dignity of Woman, on the New Evangelization, and on the greatness of the Mystery of Divine Mercy, it seemed right that the example of Saint Mary Magdalene might also fittingly be proposed to the faithful.”
We, 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, finds it empty, and breaks down weeping. She does not recognize Jesus when he appears to her. She is blinded in her grief and in 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 teaches us that through his suffering and death, he has indeed transcended his earthly death and has opened the gates of heaven to us.
On many levels, we can identify very easily to Mary Magdalene because her journey is so relatable. At times on our own journeys of faith, we can be blinded by our fears and our hardships. In the midst of that reality, the faith and courage of Mary Magdalene is a great example for all of us to follow. Mary Magdalene learns to have faith and trust in the presence of Christ’s love and mercy. She is the apostle to the apostles as she brings them the news of Christ’s resurrection. Her witness was so important to the Early Church. As we honor Mary Magdalene today, let us unite our prayers with her prayers.
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