Daily Meditation - Tuesday 22July 2008 - JESUS APPEARS TO A WOMAN WITH A QUESTIONABLE PAST

[BarbaraTherese]

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Memorial
St. Mary Magdalen
here

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Mass Readings & Meditation
Readings

Meditation

John 20:1-2,11-18

St. Mary Magdalene

Mary Magdalene had been plagued by demons, and Jesus healed her. With gratitude, she joined the band of women who cared for him (Luke 8:2-3) and was among those who followed him from Galilee to Jerusalem (Matthew 27:55-56), hearing his word every day and seeing his miracles.

• While many fled in fear, Mary Magdalene stood loyally near the cross—a true disciple to the end—
• and watched as Jesus was crucified (John 19:25).
• But even that courageous act was not enough to satisfy her devotion.
• Grief-stricken, Mary went to mourn at Jesus’ grave,
• just to be close to him and the memory of all he had done for her.

But her sorrow was turned into joy when she encountered first an empty tomb and then Jesus, risen from the dead!

• Calling her by name, Jesus freed Mary again
• —this time from the grief that had overcome her as she watched him die.
• With a single word, “Mary,” she was revived.
• And her reply, “Rabbouni,” Master, contained not only relief and joy but a pledge of faith in him and in his resurrection.

Just think: Jesus first appeared not to the priests and rulers of Israel, nor to the twelve apostles, but to a woman with a disturbed past.

• This was the person Jesus chose to be the first witness of the resurrection.
• This was the one he decided would have the honor of being the “apostle to the apostles,”
• the first herald of the resurrection.
• Once again, God revealed himself to the lowly and least expected.

Whatever kind of bondage Mary had suffered—whether she had been mentally ill, trapped in sin, or afflicted with a debilitating illness like epilepsy—it did not disqualify her in Jesus’ eyes.

• And neither are we disqualified, whether by past sins or current disabilities.
• Jesus came for just this reason, to deliver us from our sins and to fill us with the dignity of chosen and beloved children of God
• .He calls us, each by name, to share in eternal life with him
• and transforms us through the power of his Holy Spirit
• so that we too can be witnesses to his resurrection.
  “O Jesus, risen Lord and Savior, you are the hope of glory! My heart rejoices at the sound of your voice.
  Thank you for awakening hope in me
  and lifting me up to new life in you.”