First reading Song of Songs 3:1-4
I found him whom my heart loves
The bride says this:
On my bed, at night, I sought him
whom my heart loves.
I sought but did not find him.
So I will rise and go through the City;
in the streets and in the squares
I will seek him whom my heart loves.
I sought but did not find him.
The watchmen came upon me
on their rounds in the City:
‘Have you seen him whom my heart loves?’
Scarcely had I passed them
when I found him whom my heart loves.
Responsorial Psalm 62(63):2-6,8-9
For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord my God.
O God, you are my God, for you I long;
for you my soul is thirsting.
My body pines for you
like a dry, weary land without water.
So I gaze on you in the sanctuary
to see your strength and your glory.
For your love is better than life,
my lips will speak your praise.
So I will bless you all my life,
in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul shall be filled as with a banquet,
my mouth shall praise you with joy.
For you have been my help;
in the shadow of your wings I rejoice.
My soul clings to you;
your right hand holds me fast.
Gospel John 20:1-2,11-18
‘Mary, go and find the brothers and tell them’
It was very early on the first day of the week and still dark, when Mary of Magdala came to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been moved away from the tomb and came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb’ she said ‘and we don’t know where they have put him.’
Meanwhile Mary stayed outside near the tomb, weeping. Then, still weeping, she stooped to look inside, and saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head, the other at the feet. They said, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ ‘They have taken my Lord away’ she replied ‘and I don’t know where they have put him.’ As she said this she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, though she did not recognise him. Jesus said, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said, ‘Sir, if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and remove him.’ Jesus said, ‘Mary!’ She knew him then and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbuni!’ – which means Master. Jesus said to her, ‘Do not cling to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and find the brothers, and tell them: I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ So Mary of Magdala went and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord and that he had said these things to her.
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Mary Magdalene: The first Easter witness
Mary Magdalene is a disciple of deep faith. Even in moments of uncertainty and confusion, she stays close to Jesus. In the Gospel, when Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb and discovers that the stone has been rolled away, she does not return home. Instead, her faith and love for Jesus compel her to stay and search for His body. In her sorrow, Jesus appears to her, but she does not recognise Him at first. It is only when He calls her by name, “Mary,” that her faith is fully awakened. She turns to Him and exclaims, “Rabbuni!” Her faith is rooted in Jesus, who knows and loves her personally. Afterwards, she is sent to share the good news of the Resurrection with the other disciples.
Today is the Feast of Mary Magdalene. May her faith inspire us to stay close to Jesus, even in times of sadness and doubt. Like Mary Magdalene, let us listen as Jesus calls us by name and rejoice in being sent out as His missionaries to share our faith with those around us.
Reflective questions:
How have I experienced Jesus calling my name, and how did I respond?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD
