Feast of St. Mary Magdelene

Today's Mass Readings

 

Mary Magdalene is called the Apostle to the Apostles. She ran to tell Peter and the other apostle that someone had taken Jesus’ body. Then she later encountered two angels and Jesus Himself who had risen from the dead. She then went to the Apostles again, this time to tell them Jesus indeed had risen. Her life is characterized by an intense longing for God. She in turn became close to Jesus who she knew to be a holy teacher of God (and would learn in Eternity is the Son of God). When she recognized Jesus, she called Him Rabbouni, teacher. He had taught her in faith and belief.

Thomas Merton shared a similar quest for God in his own life. He traveled widely during his life, always seeking new things. He wrote about his life journey as searching for God. He came to have a deep love for Christ just as Mary Magdalene did. Merton seemed to find Jesus present in the Abbey of Gethsemane, while Mary Magdalene benefited from living in Jesus’ presence as he walked the Earth. Both Mary Magdalene and Thomas Merton had lives characterized by a restless search for God. Ultimately, Merton could say of his life what Mary Magdalene said in the end; “I have seen the Lord.”

Reflection: We want to say that we are looking for the Lord. There is a hidden blessing in the fact that God is found often in situations and circumstances that we least expect. Jesus loves to “surprise” us. Let us pray always to be open to receive Jesus in any way He chooses to come to us.

Reflection by Br. Matthew Marie, OSB

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