Jesus said to her, “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.’” John
20:17
Mary of Magdala was one of the first persons to whom Jesus
appeared. She was deeply devoted to Him, especially because of the
great mercy He offered her when He forgave her manifest sins and
expelled seven demons from her. After He had done that, Mary became
a devout follower and was one of the few who remained faithful to
Him, even as He hung upon the Cross.
On the first day of the week, the Sunday after the Crucifixion,
Mary came to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body in accord with Jewish
custom. But when she arrived, Jesus’ body was gone. And when Jesus
appeared to her as she was weeping, she didn’t immediately
recognize Him, for He had His new glorified body. But when Jesus
spoke her name, Mary, she recognized Him. But rather than embracing
her, Jesus said, “Stop holding on to me…” Why would Jesus say
this?
Even though Mary’s attachment and devotion to Jesus was beautiful
and holy, it wasn’t yet perfected. She wanted her Lord Whom she had
come to know and followed. She wanted her former relationship with
Jesus to be returned to her. But for this reason, Jesus said, “Stop
holding on to me…” Jesus wanted much more. He was telling her that
her relationship with Him was soon to change for the better. No
longer would He simply be her earthly companion; instead, He would
soon live within her, dwell within her very heart, become one with
her, and be her Bridegroom for eternity. But this could only happen
once Jesus ascended to the Father in Heaven to complete His divine
mission of salvation.
At times, we also seek favors from our Lord that are purely
temporal. Though we do need to trust Him for “our daily bread,”
meaning, for all the basic necessities of life, we must realize
that the gifts God wants to give us far surpass anything in this
world. The supernatural gift of grace, the gift of the Indwelling
of the Most Holy Trinity, the gift of oneness with our Lord is what
we are made for and is the end goal and desire of our Lord.
Reflect, today, upon these words Jesus spoke to Mary: “Stop holding
on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father.” But do so
with the knowledge that, now, Jesus has indeed ascended to the
Father. Therefore, He now invites us all to cling to Him as He
reigns in Heaven. Ponder the deep desire in the heart of our Lord
that you cling to Him with every fiber of your being. He wants to
dwell within you, to become one with you and to transform you in
every way. This holy union is now being enjoyed for all eternity by
Saint Mary of Magdala, and this same gift is being offered to you.
Cling to Him and never let go, for this will be your eternal joy.
My risen and ascended
Lord, You now reign in Heaven in perfect glory and splendor.
Draw me into Your glorious life and invite me to cling to You with
all my heart. I invite You, dear Lord, to come and make Your
dwelling within me so that I can hold on to You forevermore. Jesus,
I trust in You.
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Featured image above: The Appearance of Christ to Mary
Magdalene after the Resurrection painting by Alexander Ivanov, via
Wikimedia Commons
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