Greetings on this the Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene
Readings: Song of Songs 3:1-4b; Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9; John 20:1-2, 11-18
Apostle to the Apostles
Tell us, Mary, what did you see on the way? I saw the glory of the risen Christ, I saw his empty tomb. – Verse before the Gospel
The theme today is Loss and Discovery. Mary Magdalene went from abandonment, to love, to loss and to new discovery. An amazing journey. One all women share in one degree or another.
Pope Francis elevated the liturgical celebration of Mary Magdalene to a Feast, the highest rank for a saint’s commemoration, on June 3, 2016. This upgrade recognized her as an “Apostle to the Apostles” and emphasized her crucial role as a witness to Jesus’s resurrection. The move also highlighted the dignity of women in the Church and the importance of divine mercy. – AI Search citing the Catholic News Agency – full article below.
News article Nine Years Ago https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/34020/mary-magdalene-%E2%80%93-apostle-to-the-apostles-%E2%80%93-gets-upgraded-feast-day
Woman, What is on your mind?
And they [the two angels] 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.” 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.” (Jn 20:13, 15).
Reflection
In the most important encounter of all – the first of the Risen Lord – begins with a question, loss and discovery. Woman, why are you weeping?
Twice.
In the Songs of Songs, three times.
Our first reading today is about Loss and Discovery. I sought him but I did not find him. I sought him but I did not find him. Him whom my soul loves—have you seen him? (Songs 3:1,2,3).
One cannot say often enough the faith is a dialogical faith. Questions asked. Divine and Human. Questions answered. Divine and Human. Mary Magdalene speaks for all woman. Where is the man who loves me most and rescued me from evil forces? It is he whom I seek.
From an Empty Tomb to a full heart! Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and what he told her (JN 20:18).
Link to 33 day prayer: https://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2024/05/28/thirty-three-days-of-affirmation-for-women-journey-of-spirituality-and-empowerment/
Personal Reflection
I made a promise to write a 33 day prayer reflection for women who never conceived for reasons of their own. I have interviews scheduling coming up to discern the way in which we can answer the question for them, Woman, why are you weeping? I plan to take this as my Appalachian Trail meditation in September.
Input
Those of you who wish to share your story, a dialogical walk, please comment and we can connect. Mary Magdalene shared her story and was remembered forever.
Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072225.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry