Fr. Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Feast of St. Mary Magdalene 07- 22-2022
Feast of St. Mary Magdalene 2022
John 20:1-2; 11-18 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072222.cfm
GO TO THE TOMB!
Something I always do when I am home on vacation is spend a few moments with my loved ones who have died. I notice a sense of reverence overcomes me when driving to the cemetery. It is a solemn moment standing over the grave of Mom and Dad, my brother-in-law, Tom, and my nephew, Craig, cousins, and relatives. It seems like all time stops. My mind and heart are flooded with loving memories of each of them.
Today we celebrate the Feast of Mary Magdalene. Facing her fears of life without Jesus, she went to His tomb, much as we would after someone we loved died. We all have graves inside of us that we need to visit. Those tombs are filled with the death of our relationships with family or friends that were never reconciled. The tomb may be filled with fears of facing a truth about ourselves. It was easier at the moment to bury them than face them.
Whatever we buried in the past, do not be afraid, my friends. When we peer into those tombs with Mary Magdalene, Jesus will be with us. She didn’t know it was Jesus at first but finally recognized Him when He called out her name, “Mary.”
We don’t have to analyze what happened or what we or someone did or didn’t do. Judging and blaming will get us deeper into the grave. However, something freeing happens when we witness the event with Jesus at our side. Our Lord asks us, “Why are you weeping?” We see ourselves and others objectively as He sees us by observing, watching a past event without thinking or feeling. As a result, something extraordinary happens to us. Healing replaces pain and sadness without effort. Try it. The Lord is with you.
Hear Jesus call out your name and leave that grave forever.
IGNITE THE FIRE!
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
pastor
Feast of St. Mary Magdalene 07- 22-2022