After suffering the severe trauma of seeing her beloved Jesus crucified, Mary Magdalene was ecstatic when the risen Jesus appeared to her on Easter morning. The two things that Mary wanted to do more than anything else were to embrace Jesus and stay with Him. However, the two things that Jesus told her to do were to stop clinging to Him and to go away from Him (Jn 20:17).

You'd think this would be a monumental interior struggle for Mary, given the incredible emotions felt and intense love she had. Yet look what Mary did! She instantly relinquished her deepest desires and joyfully fulfilled Jesus' commands. She released Jesus and left Him in instant obedience to His command to tell the disciples the good news of His resurrection (Jn 20:18). The Gospel reports no protests from Mary, only her unhesitating obedience.

It's likely that Mary could yield to Jesus' will so perfectly because before Jesus commanded her, He addressed Mary by name (Jn 20:16). When we know Jesus loves us in such a personal, intimate way, we are so completely reassured of His personal love for us that all our other desires melt away. All we need is His love.

Are you struggling with something the Lord is asking you to do? Be assured of His risen love for you. If you were the only person on earth, Jesus would still have died and risen just for you. Nothing can separate you from His love (Rm 8:39). Therefore, go and carry His risen, personal love to a lost and hurting world.

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 30, 2013

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