The memorial of St Mary Magdalene is celebrated in July. This great saint is a hopeful commentary on the potentialities of our humanity. The gospel of Luke spoke about some women who followed Jesus, "who had been healed of evil spirit and diseases; Mary called Magdalene, who had been freed of seven demons" (Lk. 8:2). This woman, of all those who followed Jesus, was specially mentioned for the uncomplimentary reason of being possessed by seven demons. Some woman!
Yet Mary Magdalene, having encountered Jesus, went from being a mobile ware¬house of demons to being one of those who stood at the foot of Jesus' cross in John's gospel (Jn. 19:25). She it was who went to the tomb of Jesus on the very first day after his crucifixion, when it was still dark and saw the stone blocking his tomb which had been moved away (Jn. 20:1). In tears because of her love for Jesus, she not only became the first woman to whom Jesus appeared after his resurrection, she also became the first evangelist who went to tell the disciples: "I have seen the Lord" (Jn. 20: 1-18). It is for this special role that she has often been called, "apostle to the apostles".
The encounter of Mary Magdalene with Jesus Christ made all the difference in her life. According to some traditions this was the same "sinner woman" who, in the house of Simon the leper, poured an alabaster jar of expensive perfume made of pure nard on the head of Jesus Mk 14:5, Jn. 12:3). She is identified as the same woman who in the home of Lazarus rather than play the "Martha" game, so preoc¬cupied with the things of the body, sat at the feet of the Lord, having chosen the better part (Lk. 10: 38-42). Such a great transformation!
In the world today so many "Magdalenes" crave that healing encounter with Jesus but often do not find him. How their lives would be totally transformed if they did, and the world around them too! It is precisely for that task that Jesus called disciples unto himself (Mk. 1:17) and then sent them out to make disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19). Every disciple must be the Jesus on the streets today who, in encountering others free them from demons and from sin.
The overemphasis of discipleship today on prosperity and success has blurred the face and vision of Jesus who came so that the world may be saved. Heaven desires that today's "Magdalenes" encounter modern "Jesuses" and through that encounter be transformed. For "there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner, than over ninety nine decent people who do not need to repent" (Lk. 15:7). Would you, dear Christian be Jesus to someone today?
I have been thinking a great deal about my experience at Reconciliation this past Saturday. I felt an intense and unexplainable urge to go and confess my sins when I woke up that morning. I try to go every six weeks or so, but this was no routine visit to the priest for me. I needed to unburden myself of the numerous venial sins I had committed since I last participated in this Sacrament.
Purest Gold: God's Refining Fire in our Lives »
After salvation, many young Christians wonder if there's anything more to their newfound faith than just the security blanket of "being a Christian." Time and time again, God shows himself as a "refiner," and our lives are as gold. God started leading me in this study to understand what He was doing in my life, as well as in the lives of others.
Picking up my pen to write this column, I couldn’t imagine how time flies. Since the last publication of this column I have gone through a lot, especially the loss of my dear mother to whom I dedicate this article. Not only her, but seems I lost a whole generation of my close family.
How to Achieve Business Excellence »
“Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before Kings; He will not stand before unknown men.” Proverbs 22:29
Spiritual Development for our Youth »
Most of us youth in today's fast moving world are easily thrown off by difficulties and worries.
The theme of conversion is a thread that runs all through Lent, but conversion takes on different aspects throughout the phases of Lent. The first two and a half weeks focused on the interior turning of hearts; the liturgy urges the faithful to reflect and examine consciences thoroughly.
Saint Josephine Bakhita »
Feast Day: February 8
Patron Saint Of: Sudan
Saint Josephine Margaret Bakhita was born around 1869 in the village of Olgossa in the Darfur region of Sudan. She was a member of the Daju people and her uncle was a tribal chief. Due to her family lineage, she grew up happy and relatively prosperous, saying that as a child, she did not know suffering.
Catholics Must Fast More Intensely This Lent»
The Norbertine Canons of St. Michael's Abbey have created this digital Lenten retreat so that you can journey through this holy season alongside them. If you want to have one of your best Lenten seasons yet, join us in our Lenten Program "The Great Fast" - https://theabbotscircle.com/the-great-fast-join
When Your Faith Is Put to the Test - Bishop Barron's Sunday Sermon»
Friends, we come now to the Second Sunday of Lent, and we’re on both dangerous and very holy ground with the first reading from the twenty-second chapter of Genesis. The ancient Israelites referred to it as the “Akedah,” which means the “binding”: Abraham binds and is ready to sacrifice Isaac at God’s command.
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