Readings at Mass: Monday of 16th Week of Ordinary Time
MEMORIAL OF SAINT MARY MAGDALENE
> Exodus 14:5-18
> Psalms 15:1-2,3-4,5-6
Today the Church celebrates the life of Saint Mary Magdalene. Who was she, really?
"Mary Magdalen was so called either from Magdala near Tiberias, on the west shore of Galilee, or possibly from a Talmudic expression meaning 'curling women's hair,' which the Talmud explains as of an adulteress. In the New Testament she is mentioned among the women who accompanied Christ and ministered to Him (Luke 8:2-3), where it is also said that seven devils had been cast out of her (Mark 16:9). She is next named as standing at the foot of the cross (Mark 15:40; Matthew 27:56; John 19:25; Luke 23:49). She saw Christ laid in the tomb, and she was the first recorded witness of the Resurrection." (1)
Contrary to Hollywood's seductive "The Da Vinci Code" or the even more dangerous strands of post-modern Christianity, Orthodox Biblical research reveals Saint Mary Magdalene as the "sinner" in Luke 7:37-50. She who crawled to his feet weeping in the home of the Pharisee is she who stood by feet weeping at the Cross. Her love for Christ was pure, a love ignited by Christ's mercy ... a love that fueled her going all the way to the cross.
When God changes your life you'll do almost anything to say thank you. The beauty of the reality of Saint Mary Magdalene reveals this: the depth of our following Christ is often the depth of our experiencing personal transformation because of Christ. And, the depth of our experiencing personal transformation because of Christ is often the depth of our being honest with, and vulnerable to, the person of Christ. Thus: following Christ > flows from being transformed by Christ > flows from being honest with, and vulnerable to, the person of Christ. There's a direct relationship.
Last week the story of Moses invited us to be honest with our past. May I say reverently that last week was not an easy week for many of us on the journey. However, we stand encouraged today that transformation is possible. Saint Mary Magdalene witnesses for us where we are "to go" with our hearts, our shame, and our sin. We are to go to Jesus.
This week we'll patiently and reverently unpack God's plan for our freedom. However, today lets' rest in He who is leading us. Let's rest in Christ. Go to the Lord today. If you are aware of sins that are buried in your past, go to the Lord. If you, like Saint Mary Magdalene, are aware of your need for forgiveness, go to Jesus. If you desire freedom and complete transformation, go to Jesus.
God is ready ... you're heart is ready ... today ... right now ... with everything in your life ... go to Jesus.
(1) http://www.ewtn.com/saintsholy/saints/M/stmarymagdalen.asp
© Fr. Mark Toups, 2013
"Mary Magdalen was so called either from Magdala near Tiberias, on the west shore of Galilee, or possibly from a Talmudic expression meaning 'curling women's hair,' which the Talmud explains as of an adulteress. In the New Testament she is mentioned among the women who accompanied Christ and ministered to Him (Luke 8:2-3), where it is also said that seven devils had been cast out of her (Mark 16:9). She is next named as standing at the foot of the cross (Mark 15:40; Matthew 27:56; John 19:25; Luke 23:49). She saw Christ laid in the tomb, and she was the first recorded witness of the Resurrection." (1)
Contrary to Hollywood's seductive "The Da Vinci Code" or the even more dangerous strands of post-modern Christianity, Orthodox Biblical research reveals Saint Mary Magdalene as the "sinner" in Luke 7:37-50. She who crawled to his feet weeping in the home of the Pharisee is she who stood by feet weeping at the Cross. Her love for Christ was pure, a love ignited by Christ's mercy ... a love that fueled her going all the way to the cross.
When God changes your life you'll do almost anything to say thank you. The beauty of the reality of Saint Mary Magdalene reveals this: the depth of our following Christ is often the depth of our experiencing personal transformation because of Christ. And, the depth of our experiencing personal transformation because of Christ is often the depth of our being honest with, and vulnerable to, the person of Christ. Thus: following Christ > flows from being transformed by Christ > flows from being honest with, and vulnerable to, the person of Christ. There's a direct relationship.
Last week the story of Moses invited us to be honest with our past. May I say reverently that last week was not an easy week for many of us on the journey. However, we stand encouraged today that transformation is possible. Saint Mary Magdalene witnesses for us where we are "to go" with our hearts, our shame, and our sin. We are to go to Jesus.
This week we'll patiently and reverently unpack God's plan for our freedom. However, today lets' rest in He who is leading us. Let's rest in Christ. Go to the Lord today. If you are aware of sins that are buried in your past, go to the Lord. If you, like Saint Mary Magdalene, are aware of your need for forgiveness, go to Jesus. If you desire freedom and complete transformation, go to Jesus.
God is ready ... you're heart is ready ... today ... right now ... with everything in your life ... go to Jesus.
(1) http://www.ewtn.com/saintsholy/saints/M/stmarymagdalen.asp
© Fr. Mark Toups, 2013
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TODAY AT IPF
Today, the 169 seminarians continue their course on the Liturgy. Today the men will learn more about how the Liturgy transforms us and draws into communion with God. The 22 priests and seminarians here for the Spiritual Exercises are on day 24 of the 30-day retreat.
TODAY'S QUOTE FROM POPE EMERITUS BENEDICT XVI
"Let us not hesitate to rediscover the friendship of God lost by sin; encountering the Lord, we experience the joy of his forgiveness."
― General Audience, Ash Wednesday, February 21, 2007
