John 20:1-2, 11-18
On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, "They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they put him."
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. And they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken my Lord, and I don't know where they laid him." When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" She thought it was the gardener and said to him, "Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni," which means Teacher. 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.'" Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and then reported what he told her.
Dawg's thought:
Today's prayer intention is for Maggie's Place, whose patron saint is honored this day in The Church.
When we think of stories of redemption, St. Mary Magdalene is considered on of the great stories of Christ's redemptive grace. She became the first preacher of The Gospel message to the disciples whom Christ chose.
Scripture has many stories of those too old (Abraham), too young (Jeremiah) and many other examples of those who appeared unworthy. God chooses does not choose the powerful or the self-righteous. He chooses those who are willing to serve and empowers them with a grace greater than any brokenness or sinfulness we choose to put in the way of His will. Take care and God Bless.
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