She loved much!

Today in the Church it is the memorial (that means we remember) Saint Mary Magdalen who is one of my favorite saints. St. Mary Magdalen followed her Lord to Calvary and stood at the foot of his cross. (John 19:25) She wept at his tomb and found her way there early the next day to anoint his body following his death. (John 20:1) Mary was the first one to see Jesus after he had risen. She is the one who ran to tell the apostles that she had seen the Lord and at her word Peter and John went in haste and found the empty tomb and the burial cloths that had wrapped his precious body.

Earlier in the Gospels (Luke 7:35-50) we hear the story of the woman “who had lived a sinful life in that town” who came to Jesus as he was having dinner with the Pharisees. She brought an alabaster jar of perfume and as she stood behind Jesus, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. Jesus said to the Pharisees that the woman was anointing his body for his burial.

Tradition tells us that this sinful woman, commonly referred to as a prostitute, was probably Mary Magdalen who wept tears of repentance for her many sins. It was out of her that Jesus had cast 7 demons and set her free. Jesus forgave her many sins and her tears were those of gratitude and love.

The Scriptures tell us that “she loved much.” The desire of my own heart is to love Jesus in the way that she did. I pray to St. Mary Magdalen often for a heart that is repentant and grateful for the merciful love of Jesus who has forgiven me MY many sins. I ask this courageous, loving woman, this very special saint, to help me to “love much.” What about you?

As an aside, the Sisters will be spending the next few days on our annual community retreat. It is our great desire to grow in our knowledge and love of Jesus. Pray for us as we spend this time in silence and prayer. St. Mary Magdalen, pray for us!