Why Risen Christ first appeared to Mary Magdalene?

Gospel Thoughts

*EASTER OCTAVE*

*Saturday*

*GOSPEL -  Mk 16:9-15*

*FIRST READING - Acts 4:13-21*

*Why Risen Christ first appeared to Mary Magdalene?*

*1) She was first to Reach the Tomb*

Among all other disciples we see Mary Magdalene is the First one to reach to the tomb. 

After Jesus had been laid in the Tomb, on the second day there is no reference that some one visited the Tomb

But Gospel says on the Third day, early morning Mary Magdalene reached the Tomb, before everyone else. 

*2) She was first to search for Jesus*

Among all other disciples, Mary Magdalene stands out in her Search for Jesus 

After the death of Jesus, she felt a deep sense of loss and emptiness of her beloved, and she didn't want him to lose in any way. 

So she searches for Jesus before every one else and that is why she comes to the tomb, before everyone else 

*3) She was first to take courage*

After the death of Jesus, His disciples were terribly frightened. That is why they were found in the closed room, because of the fear of the officials 

But here is a lady who, takes a special courage to visit the tomb of Jesus, still it was dark, and does not mind any one that she would be recognised as the disciple of Jesus 

Coming to know that some one is the disciple of Jesus means a kind of risky situation. But she does not care for it. Amidst all fears, she courageously walks to the tomb to meet Jesus  

*4) Her Sorrow and emptiness was special among all other disciples*

Mary Magdalene felt a special type of sorrow and a kind of emptiness, which was different from the other disciples. 

This sorrow and emptiness made Mary Magdalene all the more to search and to cling to the Risen Lord. 

Her Sorrow and emptiness were the forces to search for Jesus, which make Mary Magdalene a special person 

*5) She showed herself that Jesus is everything for her*

Once she  experienced  Jesus, she always remained with Jesus. 

Her life showed that Jesus was everything for her and with out Jesus there is no life. That's why she was in search of Jesus 

All these things might be some of the reasons why Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene. 

*6) Mary Magdalene is a Model for us*

She is the model for searching for Jesus 

She is the model to experience the Risen Lord

She is the Model to proclaim the Risen Lord 

She is model to learn how to remain faithful to Jesus 

She is the model to desire for Jesus in our day today life 

If so, am I ready to adapt the methodology of Mary Magdalene??

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*