The Two Turnings of Mary Magdalene

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Sixteenth Week:  Wednesday*

*Feast of Mary Magdalene*

*Gospel :  John 1-2, 11-18*

*First Reading : Song of Solomon 3:1-4 or 2 Cor 5:14-17*

*Responsorial Psalm : 63: 2-9*

*The Two Turnings of Mary Magdalene*

*1) The First Turning: From the Empty Tomb to an Unknown Stranger (Jn 20:14)*

"When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus."

Mary first turns away from the tomb because someone is standing behind her. Yet she mistakes Jesus for the gardener.

This turning is only physical.

She changes her direction but not her understanding.

Her eyes are filled with tears.

She is looking for a dead body, not a living Lord.

Her grief prevents her from recognizing the One standing before her.

This teaches us that it is possible to be close to Jesus without recognizing Him.

Many of us are like Mary.

We look only at our losses.

We focus on what is missing.

We search for yesterday's Jesus instead of today's living Christ.

Sometimes Christ stands very near us—in a friend, in prayer, in Scripture, in the Eucharist—but our tears prevent us from seeing Him.

*2) The Second Turning: From Grief to Recognition (Jn 20:16)*

Jesus simply says, "Mary."

Then the Gospel says, "She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, 'Rabbouni!'"

This second turning is different.

It is not merely a movement of the body but a conversion of the heart.

When Jesus calls her by name: fear becomes faith, tears become joy, despair becomes hope, death gives way to life.

She no longer sees a gardener. She sees her Lord.

This is the real turning point of her life.

*3) The Turning Point of Mary's Life*

Before this encounter Mary was

weeping,

confused,

hopeless,

clinging to the past,

searching among the dead.

After hearing her name she becomes

joyful,

believing,

courageous,

hopeful,

the first witness of the Resurrection.

She came looking for a corpse. She left proclaiming the Risen Lord.

Her mission changed instantly. Jesus tells her, "Go to my brothers and say to them..."

She who came as a mourner leaves as a missionary.

*4) Why Is This Turning So Important?*

Because every Christian life begins with such a turning.

The Bible often speaks of turning.

The prodigal son turned toward his father.

Zacchaeus turned away from greed.

Peter turned after denying Jesus.

Paul turned from persecutor to apostle.

Mary Magdalene's turning is the turning from

darkness to light,

death to resurrection,

despair to hope,

seeking to finding,

mourning to mission.

*5) The Spiritual Meaning of Turning*

In the Bible, turning means conversion.

The Hebrew word _shub_ means "to return."

The Greek word _metanoia_ means "a change of mind and heart."

Mary's turning is therefore not simply changing direction.

It is returning to God with a new vision.

She stops looking into the empty tomb.

She begins looking into the face of Christ.

*6) The Empty Tomb Is Not the End*

Notice something beautiful.

Mary keeps looking inside the tomb. Jesus is outside.

Sometimes we keep searching for life in places where only death exists.

We look: into old hurts, broken relationships, failures,  disappointments, regrets.

Jesus invites us to turn around.

Life is not in the tomb. Life is in Christ.

*7) Application to Our Lives*

Mary's story is our story.

*A) Sometimes we need to turn around*

Many remain facing the tombs of : past failures, guilt, disappointments, addictions, broken dreams.

Jesus says, Turn toward Me.

*B) We must allow Jesus to call us personally* 

Christianity is not merely knowing doctrines. It is hearing Christ call us by name.

Prayer becomes alive when we realize: "I am personally known and loved by Christ."

*C) Every encounter with Christ should become a turning point* 

Every : Eucharist, Confession, Retreat, Prayer, Scripture reading, should help us turn from sin to grace, from fear to trust, from selfishness to love.

*D) We are called to become witnesses* 

Mary did not keep the Resurrection to herself. She ran to tell the disciples.

Every Christian who truly meets the Risen Lord becomes a messenger of hope.

The greatest miracle in Mary's life was not merely that she turned her body. The true miracle was that her heart turned toward the living Christ.

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*