The apostles took fifty days to be confirmed in the risen Christ and have Easter. For almost two months Jesus "opened their minds to the understanding of the Scriptures" (Lk 24:45), opened their eyes in the breaking of the bread (Lk 24:31), and appeared to them several times. In contrast, Mary Magdalene had Easter just a few hours after Jesus had His Easter. Jesus only had to appear once and say one word to her, "Mary" (Jn 20:16).
Why was Mary Magdalene so much quicker to receive Easter than the apostles were? It was because of her love. When we love the Lord and His people, we can catch on to the risen Christ quickly. "Love covers a multitude of sins" (1 Pt 4:8). Love speeds things up, leaps over obstacles, and never fails (1 Cor 13:8).
Ask the Holy Spirit to point out to you a person you have difficulty loving. This situation will either be a detour from or an expressway to Easter. If you can accept God's grace to unconditionally love this person, you will be like Mary Magdalene and immediately have Easter and a deep relationship with the risen Christ. If you refuse to love this person, Easter will have to wait.
Be another Mary Magdalene.
| PRAYER: | Father, I repent of making You wait for me. Give me Easter now, by giving me unconditional love for others. |
| PROMISE: | "You must reform and be baptized, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, that your sins may be forgiven; then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." –Acts 2:38 |
| PRAISE: | Praise the risen Jesus, Whose love transcends death! |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College