In the long tradition of the Church, including its artistic tradition, St. Mary Magdalene has generally been portrayed as “the repentant sinner.” This is largely due to her being mistakenly identified with the sinful woman who washed the feet of Jesus with her tears and dried them with her hair. There is no evidence in the Gospels to suggest that she was any more a sinner than the other disciples of Jesus.
The Gospel reading for her feastday (John 20, 1-2. 11-18) portrays her as a woman whose devotion to Jesus brought her to the tomb early on that first Sunday morning. Her heartfelt devotion to Jesus also left her outside the tomb weeping when she discovered the body of Jesus was not there. She sought the Lord but could not find Him. However, the Lord came seeking her and found her when He called her by her name, “Mary.” Like St. Mary Magdalene, we too seek the Lord, and, like her, we are also the object of the Lord’s search. Indeed, the Lord’s search for us is prior to our search for Him! And He is relentless in pursuing us. Remember, He is the Good Shepherd who, having laid down His life for us, now calls us by name and also sends us out, as He sent her out, to take the good news of His Resurrection to those whom we meet.
Liberada por el Señor y convertida en su discípula, Santa María Magdalena le siguió hasta el monte Calvario y mereció ser la primera que vio al Señor Resucitado en la mañana de Pascua y la que se lo comunicó a los demás discípulos. Algunos Padres de la Iglesia le dan el título de “apóstol de los apóstoles.”
Para reflejar: El domingo de Pascua, aún en medio de su dolor y desilusión, Santa María no perdía la esperanza de encontrar a Jesús, aunque fuera solo su cadáver. ¡Imagina la alegría que sintió, entonces, cuando se encontró con Cristo Resucitado! Hoy es la fiesta de ella y su ejemplo puede ayudarnos a encontrarnos también con Él.
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Let us pray. “O God, your Son entrusted St. Mary Magdalene before all others with announcing the great joy of His Resurrection. Grant, we pray, that through her intercession and example we may proclaim the living Christ and come to see Him reigning in your glory. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.”
Oremos. “Dios nuestro, que quisiste que Santa María Magdalena fuera la primera en recibir de tu Hijo el encargo de anunciar el gozo Pascual, concédenos por su intercesión que, siguiendo su ejemplo, anunciemos a Cristo Resucitado y merezcamos contemplarlo reinando en el cielo. Él, que vive y reina contigo en la unidad del Espíritu Santo y es Dios por los siglos de los siglos. Amén.”
