July 22, 2017 Saturday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time-A ST MARY MAGDALENE
Exodus 12:37-42
Psalm 136
John 20:1-2, 11-18
Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” John 20:18
Lord, the crucifixion was very real. No one survived the Roman cross. Death was the end. But that day was a new day. There never was a day like Easter. So out of the ordinary was this day it took a little time for Mary to understand what had taken place. Someone had to be the first to hear and see you. Someone had to be the first to believe and to announce the greatest news of all time. You chose this woman to be the first evangelizer. She was the first preacher of your resurrection. She was the first to proclaim that death is not the end of life, that the gates of heaven were open, and that sin is forgiven. She was the first of a new faith in you as the Lord of life. Mankind was free of the oppression of the devil and we no longer lived in his bondage. Nothing would ever be the same after Mary brought the Easter news to those who would carry it to the ends of the earth. Lord, I rejoice in this good news first made know by a reformed prostitute. Amen