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Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent
over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one
at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been.
John 20:11–12
Early in His ministry, Jesus cast seven demons out of Mary of
Magdala. As a result, she became an exceptionally faithful follower
of Jesus. She was most likely one of His followers who provided for
Jesus and the disciples out of her own resources as they traveled.
She listened to His teachings, witnessed His miracles, was present
when He was condemned, stood at the foot of the Cross with Jesus’
mother, helped to prepare His body for burial and was the first
person recorded in Scripture to whom Jesus appeared after His
Resurrection.
The Gospel for today’s Mass tells the story of Mary going to the
tomb early Sunday morning to complete the anointing of Jesus’ dead
body as He laid in the tomb. But much to her surprise, the tomb was
empty. Therefore, she ran to tell the Apostles, which makes Mary
Magdalene the first of His followers to witness to the
Resurrection. After telling the Apostles, she returned to the tomb
with Peter and John; and, after Peter and John left, she remained
outside the tomb weeping, as is mentioned in the Gospel passage
quoted above.
Mary’s tears are beautiful. They are an expression of her deep
devotion to her Lord. She did not yet understand that He had risen,
but her fidelity to Jesus is a testimony to her love. Jesus had
restored her dignity. He freed her from the seven demons who
tormented her. She most likely had been a sinful woman in the past,
but now she was singly devoted to the Savior of the World.
The witness of Mary of Magdala is one that should inspire us all.
Though few people are possessed by seven demons, we are all
tormented in one way or another. We all sin. We all are weak. We
all have a past we regret. And we all are invited to do better.
Mary’s “better” was a life that was given to Jesus with the utmost
fidelity. She didn’t care if the authorities saw her at the foot of
the Cross. If they were to persecute her as a result, it did not
matter. She was faithful. She didn’t care if the soldiers would
have harassed her when she went to the tomb to anoint the body of
Jesus—she only thought of that last act of love she could offer
Him. And when she saw Jesus risen and thought He was the gardener,
she didn’t care if He saw her heartbroken and in tears—she only
wanted to see the body of her Lord.
As a result of her unwavering fidelity, Jesus gave her a gift
beyond imagination. He appeared to her, after being resurrected
from the dead, and sent her to be an apostle to the Apostles. He
sent her to go to the Apostles to tell them that Jesus had risen
and that He was preparing to go to His Father in
Heaven.
Reflect, today, upon the holy soul of this woman. She was a
repentant sinner who turned her whole life around. She devoted
everything to Jesus and, in return, received even more. In Heaven,
Mary Magdalene will forever cling to Jesus and adore His Sacred
Heart. May we all strive to imitate her by turning from our own
life of sin and becoming unwaveringly faithful to our
Lord.
My resurrected Lord, You appeared first to Mary of Magdala after
Your Resurrection. You now invite her to share in Your glorious
life in Heaven. Help me to learn from her by turning away from all
sin and becoming deeply devoted to You. May my fidelity to You,
dear Lord, be absolute and unwavering, so that I, too, will one day
share in the glory of Your Resurrection. Jesus, I trust in You.
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