Transformation through Trust: Mary Magdalene

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending 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 she told them that he had said these things to her. ~ John 20:11-18

What would you think in this situation?

 It was hard enough seeing your teacher executed. Now his body is gone. What would you think? What would you do?

 Mary weeps. It feels to her that all is lost. She is at her lowest when something happens. Something amazing.

 He doesn't look like Jesus. Doesn't even sound like Jesus. But she knows its him. She knows it. Trusts it.

 And her sorry is turned to joy.

 And what happens next is amazing.

 Like Mary, Jesus' mother, Mary Magdalene - and all women - are meant to be seen and not heard.

 And like Mary, Jesus' mother, Mary Magdalene will not be silent.

 She will obey and not be silent at all.

 The word apostle means messenger. It is the one who is sent on a mission.

 We think that there were 12.

 But first there was one. Mary. Apostle to the Apostles.
Prayer: Transform me, Lord, that I may follow you and spread your love as all your faithful servants have before me. Amen

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