Living Learning and Love

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene, invite us to contemplate the power of love to make visible in our material life the mystical Presence of Love Incarnate.

Love and Life

The Reading from the Song of Songs presents the deep emotional love connected to Loss and Discovery.

* [3:1–5] See the parallel in 5:2–8.

* [3:2] The motif of seeking/finding here and elsewhere is used by later Christian and Jewish mystics to speak of the soul’s search for the divine.

* [3:4] Whom my soul loves: the fourfold repetition of this phrase in vv. 1–4 highlights the depth of the woman’s emotion and desire. Mother’s house: cf. 8:2; a place of safety and intimacy, one which implicitly signifies approval of the lovers’ relationship. (Song of Songs, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Reading from the Second Letter of Paul to the Corinthians presents our life as a new creation.

* [5:14–15] These verses echo 2 Cor 4:14 and resume the treatment of “life despite death” from 2 Cor 4:7–5:10.

* [5:16–17] Consequently: the death of Christ described in 2 Cor 5:14–15 produces a whole new order (2 Cor 5:17) and a new mode of perception (2 Cor 5:16). According to the flesh: the natural mode of perception, characterized as “fleshly,” is replaced by a mode of perception proper to the Spirit. Elsewhere Paul contrasts what Christ looks like according to the old criteria (weakness, powerlessness, folly, death) and according to the new (wisdom, power, life); cf. 2 Cor 5:15, 21; 1 Cor 1:17–3:3. Similarly, he describes the paradoxical nature of Christian existence, e.g., in 2 Cor 4:10–11, 14. A new creation: rabbis used this expression to describe the effect of the entrance of a proselyte or convert into Judaism or of the remission of sins on the Day of Atonement. The new order created in Christ is the new covenant (2 Cor 3:6). (2 Corinthians, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 63 expresses the intimate relationship between God and the worshiper.

* [Psalm 63] A Psalm expressing the intimate relationship between God and the worshiper. Separated from God (Ps 63:2), the psalmist longs for the divine life given in the Temple (Ps 63:3–6), which is based on a close relationship with God (Ps 63:7–9). May all my enemies be destroyed and God’s true worshipers continue in giving praise (Ps 63:10–11)!

* [63:4] For your love is better than life: only here in the Old Testament is anything prized above life—in this case God’s love. (Psalm 63, PSALMS | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of John presents The Empty Tomb and The Appearance to Mary of Magdala.

* [20:11–18] This appearance to Mary is found only in John, but cf. Mt 28:8–10 and Mk 16:9–11.

* [20:16] Rabbouni: Hebrew or Aramaic for “my master.”

* [20:17] Stop holding on to me: see Mt 28:9, where the women take hold of his feet. I have not yet ascended: for John and many of the New Testament writers, the ascension in the theological sense of going to the Father to be glorified took place with the resurrection as one action. This scene in John dramatizes such an understanding, for by Easter night Jesus is glorified and can give the Spirit. Therefore his ascension takes place immediately after he has talked to Mary. In such a view, the ascension after forty days described in Acts 1:1–11 would be simply a termination of earthly appearances or, perhaps better, an introduction to the conferral of the Spirit upon the early church, modeled on Elisha’s being able to have a (double) share in the spirit of Elijah if he saw him being taken up (same verb as ascending) into heaven (2 Kgs 2:9–12). To my Father and your Father, to my God and your God: this echoes Ru 1:16: “Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” The Father of Jesus will now become the Father of the disciples because, once ascended, Jesus can give them the Spirit that comes from the Father and they can be reborn as God’s children (Jn 3:5). That is why he calls them my brothers. (John, CHAPTER 20 | USCCB, n.d.)

Kathy Kemler asks How does the resurrected Jesus call you?  What is the name (method/manner) that He speaks to you in that you immediately recognize it as the voice of God? And how do you remain open so that you may understand and respond with the awareness that he is “Teacher”. 

This part of today’s Gospel touched me because sometimes I too don’t recognize Jesus in the moment, or in a situation. And somehow as if in the gentle calling of my name he brings my awareness to, “that which is”.  Recently I was struggling with a situation that had occurred. I was “underwater” as I would call it, distressed about the situation, fumbling around and living in the muck, in the darkness.  One morning during this floundering, I was reading a devotional reflection and suddenly, it was as if Jesus called me by name and shined a bright light of awareness onto my situation, my internal disposition.  He was calling to my attention to, “what is”.  I had been focused on begrudging the situation rather than embracing and accepting the reality of the situation and what I could learn from it. It was if he called my name to bring to my attention the opportunity to learn, grow, and be transformed through the situation.  I too could have spoken in that moment, “Teacher” because I had a great sense of learning and understanding of myself. (Kemler, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The love of Christ enflamed her,” by Gregory the Great (540-604 AD)

"Mary Magdalene, who had been a sinner in the city (Luke 7:37), loved the Truth and so washed away with her tears the stains of wickedness (Luke 7:47). Her sins had kept her cold, but afterward she burned with an irresistible love... We must consider this woman's state of mind whose great force of love inflamed her. When even the disciples departed from the sepulcher, she did not depart. She looked for him whom she had not found... But it is not enough for a lover to have looked once, because the force of love intensifies the effort of the search. She looked for him a first time and found nothing. She persevered in seeking, and that is why she found him. As her unfulfilled desires increased, they took possession of what they found (Song of Songs 3:1-4)... Holy desires, as I have told you before, increase by delay in their fulfillment. If delay causes them to fail, they were not desires... This was Mary's kind of love as she turned a second time to the sepulcher she had already looked into. Let us see the result of her search, which had been redoubled by the power of love." (excerpt from FORTY GOSPEL HOMILIES 25) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler reflects on some of the many connections in the Scriptures today that are not immediately obvious in the texts. The Second Letter to the Corinthians reminds us that we are not to judge according to the flesh. All people are to be treated as God’s children. Others are the new creation in love, too. In the Gospel of John Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb on the first day at about dawn when the disk of the sun is not yet visible. Friar Jude explains the connection of “the Morning Star, Venus, the Goddess of love. He notes the different number of people who go to the tomb in the Gospel accounts. Mary Magdalene represents the Church looking for her beloved. Hebrew Law required two to give witness and the requirement was met by the two angels. Mary Magdalene is “the apostle to the apostles” (apostle :one who gives witness to the resurrection). As in the Song of Songs, Mary Magdalene is searching compelled by love and Jesus is not recognized in His Resurrected Body but by His calling her name. Friar Jude notes that this is one of three episodes in the Gospel where He is not immediately recognized. Our resurrected body will not be the same but changed. When Jesus calls Mary’s name, we learn “the sheep recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd”. Friar Jude observes the instruction of Jesus not to embrace the Glorified Body and challenges us to ask ourselves when we try to cling, is it love or control?

The Word Among Us Meditation on the Song of Songs 3:1-4 comments that After Jesus’ death, when most of the other disciples hid in fear, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb as soon as she could. And while she may have been afraid, something compelled her to go find him. The love that had transformed her life propelled her to follow Jesus even into the most uncomfortable, dangerous places. As a result, she became the first witness to the risen Christ and the first one to proclaim, “I have seen the Lord” (John 20:18)!

You may not have experienced anything quite as dramatic as having seven demons cast out of you, but perhaps you can think of some sin that used to keep you bound that you no longer struggle with. Or perhaps your life was headed in one direction and took a very different turn after you met Jesus. Praise God for all those miracles! And if there’s a part of you that needs more of his love and power, invite him in. Let him keep transforming you.

“Jesus, you are the One whom my heart loves.” (Meditation on the Song of Songs 3:1-4, n.d.)

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Dr. Lerita Coleman Brown (1953–2025) who reflects on the legacy of Rev. Dr. Howard Thurman (1899–1981) and the wisdom he continues to offer us today. The interfaith minister and author Liza J. Rankow describes Thurman’s work and witness.

There is a stereotype of mystics seeking to escape the world, concerned only with the ecstasy of their own experience of union with the Divine; yet in that union is a doorway that opens out into everything and everyone. The experience of oneness brings us back into relationship with the allness. The oneness and the allness inter-be…. Thus we feel deeply the wounds of a battered world, and the suffering and the needs of the people—including, as Thurman puts it in Jesus and the Disinherited, those “with their backs against the wall”—the disenfranchised, the marginalized and the oppressed. Inaction is not an option. The mystic worldview creates an ethical mandate, and it offers a new way to enter the world of social transformation—from the position of oneness rather than dualism. It shifts the paradigm…. Thurman often quoted social union leader Eugene Debs: “While there is a lower class, I am in it, while there is a criminal element, I am of it, and while there is a soul in prison, I am not free.” [3]

Thurman spoke of spiritual disciplines as those practices by which we remove the barriers to our “inner altar”—our place of communion with God. And through this definition, he included activism as a spiritual discipline…. He affirmed the necessity to identify with, and work for the liberation and reconciliation of all parties in order to restore beloved community. [4] (Rohr, n.d.)

We contemplate the events in our lives when the Spirit reveals that we have been “called by name” to understand relationships in a new Way that reveals our growth through Love. 

References

John, CHAPTER 20 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 22, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/20? 

Kemler, K. (n.d.). Daily Reflections. Daily Reflections. Retrieved July 22, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-july-22-2026 

Meditation on the Song of Songs 3:1-4. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved July 22, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/07/22/1628315/ 

Psalm 63, PSALMS | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 22, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/63?2 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Howard Thurman: A Worldview of Oneness. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved July 22, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/howard-thurman-a-worldview-of-oneness/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). I Have Seen the Lord! Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 22, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Song of Songs, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 22, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/songofsongs/3? 

2 Corinthians, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 22, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2corinthians/5?14 

Respond in Love

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to examine how our experience of Love is the motivation for our work in the vineyard of the Lord.

Consistent Life Ethic

The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes the Letter of the Apostles to the Delegates at Antioch.

* [15:13–35] Some scholars think that this apostolic decree suggested by James, the immediate leader of the Jerusalem community, derives from another historical occasion than the meeting in question. This seems to be the case if the meeting is the same as the one related in Gal 2:1–10. According to that account, nothing was imposed upon Gentile Christians in respect to Mosaic law; whereas the decree instructs Gentile Christians of mixed communities to abstain from meats sacrificed to idols and from blood-meats, and to avoid marriage within forbidden degrees of consanguinity and affinity (Lv 18), all of which practices were especially abhorrent to Jews. Luke seems to have telescoped two originally independent incidents here: the first a Jerusalem “Council” that dealt with the question of circumcision, and the second a Jerusalem decree dealing mainly with Gentile observance of dietary laws (see Acts 21:25 where Paul seems to be learning of the decree for the first time).

* [15:34] Some manuscripts add, in various wordings, “But Silas decided to remain there.” (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 57 contains a prayer for rescue from enemies.

* [Psalm 57] Each of the two equal strophes contains a prayer for rescue from enemies, accompanied by joyful trust in God (Ps 57:2–5, 7–11). The refrain prays that God be manifested as saving (Ps 57:6, 12). Ps 108 is nearly identical to part of this Psalm (cf. Ps 57:8–11, Ps 108:2–6). (Psalms, PSALM 57 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus presents the depth of love for friends.

* [15:13] For one’s friends: or: “those whom one loves.” In Jn 15:9–13a, the words for love are related to the Greek agapaō. In Jn 15:13b–15, the words for love are related to the Greek phileō. For John, the two roots seem synonymous and mean “to love”; cf. also Jn 21:15–17. The word philos is used here.

* [15:15] Slaves,friends: in the Old Testament, Moses (Dt 34:5), Joshua (Jos 24:29), and David (Ps 89:21) were called “servants” or “slaves of Yahweh”; only Abraham (Is 41:8; 2 Chr 20:7; cf. Jas 2:23) was called a “friend of God.” (John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)

Larry Hopp comments that focusing on applying the fruit of the Spirit in our lives is indeed a determining factor of how well we love others. Through our interactions we are to demonstrate love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. That is what loving others really looks like in real life. Thoughtful application of these elements is certainly the true test of how well we are loving others. The “fruit of the spirit” test must remain at the forefront of our thoughts, words, and actions every waking moment of our lives if we truly are seeking to love as Jesus has loved us.

Dear Heavenly Father, we genuinely want to live to serve you, to follow all your commands. On this day, help us to specifically focus upon your simple directive to love one another. Help us to solidify our focus upon the fruits of the Spirit, knowing that each of those characteristics is key to loving others as you have loved us. In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Amen (Hopp, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Love encompasses the other commandments,” by Ephrem the Syrian (306-373 AD).

"This is my commandment." Have you then only one precept? This is sufficient, even if it is unique and so great. Nevertheless he also said, "Do not kill" (Matthew 19:18) because the one who loves does not kill. He said, "Do not steal," because the one who loves does even more-he gives. He said, "Do not lie," for the one who loves speaks the truth, against falsehood. "I give you a new commandment" (John 13:14). If you have not understood what "This is my commandment" means, let the apostle be summoned as interpreter and say, "The goal of his commandment is love" (1 Timothy 1:5). What is its binding force? It is that of which [the Lord] spoke, "Whatever you want others to do to you, you should do also" (Matthew 7:12)."Love one another" in accordance with this measure, "as I have loved you." That is not possible, for you are our Lord who loves your servants. But we who are equals, how can we love one another as you have loved us? Nevertheless, he has said it... His love is that he has called us his friends. If we were to give our life for you, would our love be equal to yours?... How then can what he said be explained, "As I have loved you"? "Let us die for each other," he said. As for us, we do not even want to live for one another! "If I, who am your Lord and God, die for you, how much more should you die for one another." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON TATIAN'S DIATESSARON 19.13) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 15:12-17 comments that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was not the first time he laid down his life. Think of the countless times that he gave of himself to the crowds that followed him, even when he was tired. Or the patience he showed when his disciples didn’t understand what he was trying to teach them. We can follow in his footsteps in these ways as well.

It’s just a matter of stepping out and doing what God has put before you. And every time you say yes, you’ll find Jesus there, ready to pour out the grace you need to lay down your life. Each act of obedience to God’s call to love is an opportunity to grow closer to Jesus and to reflect his self-giving love.

“Jesus, give me the grace to say yes to your call to love, just where I am today.” (Meditation on John 15:12-17, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that, in Acts, we have a report of the Council of Jerusalem for Gentile Christians that following Jewish Law or circumcision was not required. The report of this agreement letter in 1 Corinthians raises the question of when this decision was made. In John 15:13, Jesus describes great love as laying down one’s life for one’s friend. We have a freedom to be able to choose to be one with Christ. Friar Jude comments that the concept that some people aren’t called, known as predestination, does not fit the image of God presented by Jesus. God wants to live with all of us for all eternity in heaven.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Mirabai Starr who describes how the language of romance and erotic love is the universal experience of mystics across religious traditions.

In the Song of Songs, the lover sings of her search for her beloved:

At night on my bed I longed only for my love.
I sought him, but did not find him.
I must rise and go about the city,
the narrow streets and squares until I find my only love.
I sought him everywhere but I could not find him. (Song of Songs 3:1–2)(Rohr, 2026)

Starr describes longing as an essential aspect of nuptial mysticism:

Something in our souls recognizes this dynamic of exile and return. We remember that our source is Love. We suffer from the illusion of having been pulled up from our soul roots. We long to go home. We engage every practice we can get our hands on to restore our birthright of belonging. And when we attain those fleeting moments of union, we realize we were never two to begin with. We were always one and always will be one.

The language of love is like a spaceship that blasts us through the layers of illusion and delivers us to the truth of our essential connectedness with the Divine and our interconnectedness with all of creation. There’s nothing like a passage of mystical poetry, incandescent with the fire of longing and besotted by the wine of union, to evoke our own burning yearning and reveal our capacity for melding. [2] (Rohr, 2026)

We recognize that understanding of Love in Jesus is mystical and we implore the Spirit to reveal this love in our interactions with the people and places in our environment.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 8, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/15? 

Hopp, L. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved May 8, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-may-8-2026 

John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 8, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15? 

Meditation on John 15:12-17. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved May 8, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/05/08/1560393/ 

Psalms, PSALM 57 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 8, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/57 

Rohr, R. (2026, May 6). The Blueprint of Our Soul. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 8, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-book-of-devotion/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). I Have Called You Friends. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 8, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/