“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”
Friday, 22nd July 2016,
Sixteenth Week of Ordinary Time
Feast of St. Mary Magdalene.
Song 3:1-4 or 2 Cor 5: 14-17;
Ps 62: 2-6, 8-9;
Jn 20:1-2, 11-18
THE TEARS OF MARY MAGDALENE AND THE SILENCE OF CHRIST!
Mary Magdalene is considered as the second-most important woman in the New Testament after Mary, mother of Jesus. She travelled with Jesus as one of his followers and also witnessed two important moments in Jesus’ life - crucifixion and resurrection. The gospel references describe her as a courageous and brave woman who stood by Jesus in his hours of suffering, death and beyond. Mary Magdalene finds the tomb empty and Jesus missing. She weeps not because Jesus died but because she doesn’t know where her Lord has gone. That’s the love Mary Magdalene has for Jesus. Not every love is the kind of love you weep over when someone is gone.
During all that Mary Magdalene does, Christ is silent, but he hears and sees. Christ’s silence has always a purpose. It doesn’t mean that he cannot handle the situation and that he is ineffective. It means that we too, after our fright and dismay, horror and terror, need to be silent, put all our emotions aside, and be still in Christ’s presence.
The angel’s question to Mary Magdalene is a very relevant question for us too - “Why are you crying? Whom are you looking for?” The answer to this question will not only reveal whom I am looking for but also actually who I am. It will reveal all that I desire, all that I wish and long for, all that drives me and all that chases after me. It will also reveal all that limits me, all that captivates me. Is Christ silent in the midst of our tears? As he asked Mary Magdalene he is asking us - why? Let’s put all our emotions and all our own solutions aside. Let Christ’s silence and his mighty presence do the work. Let’s not limit our hopes and joys in an empty tomb, but in the risen Lord.
Prayer: Lord, the power of Your silence is amazing. Help me to listen to Your silence. Amen.
Copyright ©2013-2016 ©JoyCat, Joy of the Catholic Life: see www.joy-cat.blogspot.com.
