Sometimes our good experiences are the expected outcome of what we’ve been working for, the natural unfolding of our usual role. But sometimes they represent a pretty radical shift in our life’s trajectory, a startling revelation to our very self-understanding.
A person in college or the working world feels an unexpected call to consider a religious vocation. A young man and a young woman who have been friends for a long time suddenly sense that perhaps there’s something more to their relationship. A newlywed couple, both focused until now on succeeding in their professional careers, discern that, unlike many of their friends and peers, they desire to have children early in their marriage.
If you have experienced firsthand something like what I’m describing, then you probably also found that sharing your good news was both exciting and a little complicated. The person you first told is likely someone whom you deeply love, trust, and respect. But even still, sharing the news might not have been easy or smooth, because you knew that what you were trying to reveal was new even to yourself.
The Most Magnificent Good News
This kind of wonderful but challenging human experience might give us the tiniest glimpse into the glorious mystery that unfolds in today’s Gospel from that first Easter morning. Jesus has the most magnificent news in the history of the universe: His Resurrection. And He chooses first to spread this news with Mary Magdalene.
This choice is the culmination of love He has shown her from the time of His ministry in Galilee: He saved her life by casting out seven demons that had plagued her; He welcomed her into His family of disciples when others would have ostracized and shunned her. And this choice is also the culmination of love Mary has shown to Jesus: she supported his disciples’ mission out of her personal wealth; she stood with His Mother at the Cross, when all the Twelve except John had fled; she comes in devotion to the tomb to reverence His Body.
Total Transformation
Still, despite the love they have shared, sharing the news of the Resurrection will not be simple or easy. For Resurrection does not simply mean that Jesus is alive again; Resurrection means that Jesus is transformed into a glory that even He in His humanity never has experienced before. Mary cannot recognize her beloved Teacher until He calls her by name.
When she tries to embrace Him as of old, He reveals Himself to be far more than her Teacher; He is one who now brings Heaven and Earth together, as He ascends to the Father. And because He is transformed, so Mary must be transformed. Transformed from a disciple, a follower, into a leader; transformed, as ancient Church tradition puts it, into the Apostle to the Apostles, the first one sent to proclaim the heart of our Faith.
Proclaiming to Others
God shares His mysterious, challenging good news with you, one whom He loves infinitely. God calls you not simply to be forgiven and restored, but to be transformed. God calls you not only to be His disciple, but also – in some way, in His time – to become a leader, one who proclaims His new life to others.
How can all this unfold in your life? I cannot say. But Saint Mary Magdalene can be your guide. Love Christ, stay close to Him, listen for Him. He will reveal Himself to you; He will reveal yourself to you. Saint Mary Magdalene, Apostle to the Apostles, pray for us!
- Father Charlie's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and the Rosary at the 30-minute mark) on the Family Rosary YouTube page.
- To join the Rosary and Mass Livestream, visit the Family Rosary YouTube or Facebook page at 11:30 a.m. Eastern, Monday–Friday. Consider inviting others to join, too! (*If you are not a member of Facebook and a signup window appears, select the X at the top of the pop-up message and continue to the livestream.)
