Today’s Reflection
Gospel: John 20: 1-2, 11-18
July 22, 2025 | Tuesday

Today’s Gospel

Now, on the first day after the Sabbath, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning while it was still dark, and she saw that the stone blocking the tomb had been moved away. She ran to Peter, and the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and she said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb and we don’t know where they have laid him.”

Mary stood weeping outside the tomb; and as she wept, she bent down to look inside. She saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head, and the other at the feet. They said, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She answered, “Because they have taken my Lord and I don’t know where they have put him.”

As she said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not recognize him. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and answered him, “Sir, if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned, and said to him, “Rabboni!” which means Master. Jesus said to her, “Do not touch 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, who is your Father, to my God, who is your God.”

So Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord, and this is what he said to me.”

Today’s Reflection

Today, we celebrate the feast of St. Mary Magdalene. The Gospel mentions several Marys, so there is some confusion about who Mary Magdalene is. She is the Mary from Magdala, from whom Jesus cast out seven demons. She is one of the women who accompanied and supported Jesus in His public ministry. She is not Mary of Bethany, sister of Martha and Lazarus. She is not Mary, the wife of Cleofas. She is not the unnamed penitent sinner who anointed Jesus’ feet with oil from the alabaster jar or the woman at the well. She is not the adulteress brought before Jesus to be condemned and stoned. Lastly, she is not a reformed prostitute as she is popularly portrayed.

Mary Magdalene is expressly identified as one of the women who courageously accompanied Jesus to Calvary, loyally stood below the cross, and witnessed His death and burial. On the first day of the week, she went to the tomb, saw it was empty, and wept, distraught and distressed that someone had taken away the body of Jesus. She had not figured out that Jesus had resurrected and failed to recognize Him. Only when He called her by name did she realize it was the risen Jesus, and her anguish turned to jubilation. She was the first person to see the resurrected Jesus. Following His instructions, she rushed exultantly to tell the other disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and reported what He told her.

In our moments of difficulties, dejection, or despair, we could be like Mary Magdalene, who initially failed to discern the presence of Jesus, offering His gift of love, serenity, and joy. Open our hearts and minds as Jesus calls us by name, and then follow Him. May we have the faithfulness, fervor, and fortitude of Mary Magdalene in proclaiming to everyone with elation and exuberance our encounter with Jesus as we show by our lives how He lives in us.

/Vulnerasti, 2025