Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: July 22, 2024

Date: Monday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time/ Feast of Mary Magdalene

Scripture Text:  Jn 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.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel text for today recalls Mary Magdalene’s discovery of the empty tomb on Easter morning and her encounter with the risen Christ. It further shows us that she was called and sent as the first post-resurrection apostle to proclaim the risen Christ to others.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Can I hear Christ’s call to me? Will I listen? Will I go where He sends me? Will I do what He asks?

Praying:

LORD, Jesus Christ, truly You are the Son of God, sent to reveal the Father Almighty and His great love for us and to promise the presence of the Spirit to guide us. Truly, You are our Savior who selflessly sacrificed Yourself for us and for our sins, dying upon a cross. And yet, your death and resurrection brough us salvation and life in abundance. May we who believe that are and that You live still ourselves so that we might hear your call to us individually. Send your Spirit to guide us as we pick up our own crosses and follow You. Make of us true apostles who proclaim You and your love through our words and deeds this day and all days. Amen.