Gospel Reflection For The 2nd day of April in the year of Our Lord, 2024
Gospel
John 20:11-18
11 But Mary stood at the sepulchre without, weeping. Now as she was weeping, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been laid. 13 They say to her: Woman, why weepest thou? She saith to them: Because they have taken away my Lord; and I know not where they have laid him. 14 When she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing; and she knew not that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus saith to her: Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, thinking it was the gardener, saith to him: Sir, if thou hast taken him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
16 Jesus saith to her: Mary. She turning, saith to him: Rabboni (which is to say, Master). 17 Jesus saith to her: Do not touch me, for I am not yet ascended to my Father. But go to my brethren, and say to them: I ascend to my Father and to your Father, to my God and your God. 18 Mary Magdalen cometh, and telleth the disciples: I have seen the Lord, and these things he said to me.
Today’s Gospel tells us of the deep love Saint Mary Magdalene had for our Lord. Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early. She could not bear to be away from Jesus. Saint John does not mention anyone else with her. Perhaps the others were planning to join her later, needing to rest as they were exhausted with grief. Perhaps she could not sleep. Regardless, we know that she who anointed Jesus with expensive perfume, for His burial, as He said, encountered our Lord physically before He ascended to heaven. The woman whom Jesus redeemed from spiritual death now saw Him risen from the dead.
Importantly, just as Jesus addressed His mother in His first miracle at the wedding feast, and just before He died on the cross, He called Mary Magdalene, “woman.” The Blessed Virgin Mary was the New Eve who would bring salvation into the world. Saint Mary Magdalene was the first Christian to witness and fully understand that Jesus had truly risen from the dead and was ascending to heaven. The two Marys then, become types of all humanity. Their witness would inform the Apostles and strengthen their faith. Magdalene would tell them that Jesus had risen, and the Blessed Mother would be with them at Pentecost and be Mother of the Church. In Saint Mary Magdalene, we see the saving power of God to redeem sinners. In the Blessed Mother we see the epitome of faith, humility, gentleness and obedience to God. In both, we see saints who embody love of God.
Through all of life’s trials and troubles, may we remember the example of these two women and never lose faith. Truly love conquers all, even death.
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Gospel passages are taken from the Douay Rheims Bible.