Why was Mary Magdalene the first person known to have met the risen Christ? It was because she was immersed into Jesus. At dawn, Mary Magdalene was at Jesus' tomb to be near His dead body. When His body was gone, she exclaimed: "The Lord has been taken from the tomb!" (Jn 20:2) She remained weeping at Jesus' tomb even after Peter and John had left (Jn 20:11). She was so preoccupied with Jesus that she hardly noticed "two angels in dazzling robes" (Jn 20:12). Mary even volunteered to carry Jesus' body back to the tomb or somewhere, if she could find out where His body was (Jn 20:15). She was so preoccupied that she didn't stop to think that she may not have been able to lift the body or drag it through the streets. Mary was so immersed in Jesus that all it took was for Jesus to speak her name and she immediately recognized Him and clung to Him (Jn 20:16-17).
Mary Magdalene was immersed in Jesus through her conversion, deliverance from seven demons, daily service to Jesus and the apostles (Lk 8:2-3), and especially by being baptized into Jesus' death at the foot of His cross (Jn 19:25). She was united with Christ "through likeness to His death" and became the first person known to be united to Him in His resurrection (Rm 6:5).
| PRAYER: | Father, give me an Easter season similar to the first one Mary Magdalene celebrated. |
| PROMISE: | "It was to you and your children that the promise was made, and to all those still far off whom the Lord our God calls." –Acts 2:39 |
| PRAISE: | Alleluia! The Lord spoke and it was done (Ps 33:9). |
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