Feast of St. Mary Magdalene: Reflection by Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh
Theme: FROM WORST TO BEST: THE STORY OF MARY MAGDALENE
(John 20:1–2.12–18)
The Church celebrates today someone who would never have been mentioned in the Church. The name Mary Magdalene meant everything negative. That name was synonymous with demon, sinfulness, immorality and prostitution. She was a notorious woman in the town. Little wonder her name was associated with the city Magdala pointing to her popularity. Her History before Christ touched her was nothing to write home about. But Jesus came into her life and her story changed. A new chapter began in her life.
From her seven demons were cast out. She became a disciple of Christ. She welcomed the message of Christ with her whole heart. She said bye to her old lifestyle. She put a final stop to her past behaviors. She started anew in and with Christ.
See the radical turn she made. She was radical in sin, an extremist in evil and an abode of demonic spirits. When she encountered Christ she became the best friend of the Lord, made her heart an abode of the Holy Spirit and would not create any other vacuum for the devil to come in. She followed Jesus closely for the rest of her life till the death and resurrection of Christ.
You see, this worst person, if you like one of the last converted disciples of Christ became one of the best and indeed the first to witness the resurrection of Christ. She became an apostle to the apostles by carrying the message of the risen Christ to the other apostles.
She teaches us how to love Jesus Christ with all our hearts. She teaches us that we can still be the best even if we are worst today. She teaches us that we can give back our life to Jesus by moving away from whatever force holding us down. She teaches us how to enter into deep personal relationship with Christ.
We saw her weeping in the Gospel of today. She teaches us how not to be comfortable when Jesus is taken away from us by sin, by bad habits, by evil association etc. Mary Magdalene is a good example of a heart seeking for God. She indeed found the Lord and declared: “I have seen the Lord”
Dear Child of God, whatever you’re passing through, hear this: You will see the Lord, you will see His hand doing wonders in you. You are the best in the sight of God. The enemy can’t destroy you by his manipulation and possession. You’re blest.
Are you seeing yourself as the worst sinner? The mercy of God will make you the best. Have you been condemned by the world? You are redeemed by the Lord. Are you tired of making effort to leave your sinful lifestyle and addictions? You can do better and be the best in the sight of God. The Lord has the final say in your life. No one can make you lose the love of God, not demons, not humans. Remain close to the side of God.
LET US PRAY
Almighty everliving God, we thank You for the gift of Mary Magdalene considered by the society as the worst during her time. We thank You for the miracle of changing her story from worst to the best. Do the same miracle in our lives, in our families and in our loved ones. Grant that we may not be blinded from seeing You when our work here is done. Hear us through the intercession of Saint Mary Magdalene through Christ our Lord. Amen
God bless your day
St Mary Magdalene, pray for us.
Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh