Mary Magdalene’s love

Mary Magdalene’s love

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Easter Tuesday

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040213.cfm

 John 20:11-15

Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping … She turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus.  Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?  Whom are you looking for? … Mary! … Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father.  But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

“Your sins are forgiven, Mary.”  Jesus said the words to me and it was so.  The weight of my sins fell off my mind like an old skin.  I could run again, laughing and praising God in the path of his commands.  Jesus set my heart free.

This is a beautiful, beautiful man.  When Jesus turns his face toward the east to pray, the clouds part and the sun rises.  Not only does his frown silence storms, but the meadow blushes in every loving bloom as he approaches.  He smiles, and all the trees clap their hands.

Jesus made it possible for me to return to my brother and sister.  He filled our home with great joy and new life.  We wanted to make him as comfortable and safe as possible, because we knew that often he slept on the ground.  He seemed so relaxed about it all, but we worried for his life.  Many powerful people were threatened by Jesus’ words, and especially Jesus’ acts of mercy and healing and resurrection.

Around Jesus there was always plenty, more than enough.  The manna from his Abba was sufficient for the day, every day.  He held on to nothing.  He gave away everything.  And still they killed him.

I fell to my knees and wrapped my arms around him.  “Stop holding on to me,” Jesus said.  I didn’t realize I held him.  It always felt like he was holding me.  I can hardly catch my breath in his instructions.

He asks me to carry his words.  “Go and tell my brothers.”  He entrusts me with this precious message.  The brothers are full of fear and regret and anger and … what will they say to his strange announcement?  Will they even believe Jesus is once again alive?

Jesus is alive!  I am alive again too.  So much still to do, but always always, Jesus smiles and I brighten into the woman God made me to be.

The earth is full of your kindness, Lord, and my soul can wait for you.  You are our help and our shield.  Your kindness is upon us like rain to parched lips, and we drink up in joy.  

http://www.christiancounselingservice.com/archived_devotions.php?article_id=1186

* Here is a very interesting, kinda-scholarly article on the subject of Mary Magdalene: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09761a.htm