On July 22, we celebrate the Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene.
She was known as Mary of Magdala.
The gospel gives us, not a biography of her,
but it offers us glimpses of what she was and what she became
having met the one she called « Rabbuni! »
In the following video, we meet her personified by Maria Goes.
It may have happened to you :
In a moment of candid admission, someone will say:
‘I rush all the time; my life is a non-stop running here and there. I can hardly breathe any more…’
Life can be hectic and the demands placed on us often fill our days.
Speed is of the essence if we are to carry out all the tasks we have taken on.
Many of those in such a situation will probably feel some comfort from today’s gospel text
(Easter, Year B – Jn.20:1-9) where people are also running:
“Mary of Magdala… came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved.”
“Peter set out with the other disciple to go to the tomb. They ran together.”
Reading this text, it is good to pause – yes, to stop running – and ask ourselves what our running is for, and where it is taking us to…
We are told that Mary of Magdala set out very early, it was still dark…
Why? She was looking for Jesus. At least, for Jesus’ body as she did not expect to see him alive.
The same can be said of the two apostles who made for the tomb after Mary’s report that Jesus’ body was no longer there.
The Easter celebration is, in fact, all about this: Jesus’ absence and Jesus’ presence.
A new mode of presence to which the disciples – and we – must adjust to.
And this, more than anything else perhaps, demands that… we stop running a little –
long enough to realize that he is always with us and often in the most unexpected situation!
Note: another reflection is available in French on a different theme at: https://image-i-nations.com/dimanche-de-paques-annee-b/