The Calendar of Saints in Canada assigns today to Saint Mary
Magdalene, disciple of the Lord. The Roman Catholic Lectionary for Canada offers
two options for the first reading. The Song of Songs is love poetry. It
expresses the deep passion of lovers for the presence of each to the other. Jewish
and Christian scholars have seen the depth of the passion for the Presence of
God in these verses. The alternate passage from the second letter of Paul to
the Corinthians proclaims the new person who we are as we join in the victory
over death that Christ gives humanity through His Love. This victory is lived
by followers of the Way as love which is selfless and directed to the other.
The life of Mary Magdalene is associated with deep love of Jesus. Friar JudeWinkler notes that she is the proto-Apostle because Jesus first appearance to
His disciples after His Resurrection is to her. Popular accounts of the life ofMary where she is associated with other figures in the Gospels, a prostitute,
the woman washing the feet of Jesus with her tears and Mary the sister of
Lazarus are not proper according to Friar Jude. The sense of Mary from the
Gospel is of one deeply in love and single minded about Jesus. The dialogue
with the man, who she initially mistakes as the gardener, presents two
important points to lovers and Christian believers. Jesus receives and
acknowledges the great love of Mary and He cautions her not to cling to Him.
Love requires giving all to the beloved, especially the freedom to choose. The
new creation of the Resurrection is a changed being. We are encouraged and
challenged by change. Love brings and sustains change. Embrace it!
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