a long shot and a sure thing
“Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned to Him and said [in Hebrew], ‘Rabbouni!’ (meaning ‘Teacher’). Jesus then said, ‘Do not cling to Me.’ ” —John 20:16-17
Mary Magdalene was not only the first person to meet the risen Jesus in the Gospels but possibly the only person fully transformed by the risen Christ for the first fifty days after the Resurrection. Many others met the risen Christ, but we have no record of them centering their lives on and witnessing to the risen Lord. Even Jesus’ disciples stayed locked in the upper room although they had met Jesus risen more than once (Jn 20:26). Yet Mary Magdalene understood and gave the Resurrection message during the first fifty days.
This fact makes us realistic and optimistic. We would be naive to presume we will automatically have Easter this year. Easter 2022 may not be that much different from previous Easters. Yet, at the same time, Mary Magdalene makes us optimistic. Mary shared the Easter message for the first fifty days of the first Easter. She seemed to be one of the least likely candidates to meet the risen Christ, since she had been possessed by seven devils (Lk 8:2). However, the risen Lord chose to come to her.
Your life may be scarred by the sin and bondage of the past. You may “get no respect,” and even have trouble respecting yourself. Nonetheless, the risen, glorified Lord wants to come to you as He did to Mary Magdalene. Let the risen Jesus transform you this Easter season.
Prayer: Jesus, You are a long shot and a sure thing if I believe in You and obey. Come, risen Jesus!
Promise: “You must reform and be baptized, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, that your sins may be forgiven; then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” —Acts 2:38
Praise: Jesus is “the Resurrection and the Life” (Jn 11:25). Praise Jesus forever!
Reference:
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from April 1, 2022 through May 31, 2022. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, August 3, 2021"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.