The “Apostle to the Apostles”—that’s what the early Church fathers called her. You and I know her as Mary Magdalene. Today at the Easter Vigil or Easter Sunday, the gospels show her on center stage for two reasons (John 20:1-9). First, unlike the apostles who were nowhere near the tomb on Easter Sunday morning, she was there. Her love and faith were so strong she had to be as close to Jesus as possible no matter what. That’s the role of any good apostle or follower of Jesus. Second, she was sent to bring the good news to the apostles, for the word apostle means someone who is sent. Subsequently, the apostles would regain their faith and be sent to preach the good news to all the world.
While Easter Sunday is a day of great joy and celebration because our Lord’s resurrection conquered sin and death and opened the gates of heaven, let us not forget Mary Magdalene and the apostles. In following Jesus, we are going to encounter difficulties and defeats. Hopefully, we can press on faithfully as did Mary Magdalene. However, if we falter as did the apostles, let us start out anew to try to spread the good news. Happy Easter to you and your families.
- Fr. Carl
“Jesus on the Cross said to the disciples whom he loved:
‘Behold your mother!’ How sweet are those words to the
Christian who is able to understand what depths of love
they contain!”
~ Thoughts of the Cure D’Ars
