Covered in Glory

~~~Memorial of Saint Mary Magdalene~~~

 

~~~ Exodus 14:5-18 ~~~ Exodus 15:1bc-2, 3-4, 5-6 ~~~ John 20:1-2, 11-18 ~~~

 

Mary does not want to let go of Jesus.

The greater your sense of gratitude the more difficult it is to let go.

 

Mary could not bare the thought of not having the human person of Jesus with her.

She was experiencing the grief of a broken heart.

She wanted to be near where she had last seen his body laid to rest.

After having witnessed his death and crucifixion

she would not have been surprised had the authorities removed his body.

Did they desire to further desecrate his remains?

She was suspicious.

 

“Sir, if you carried him away,
tell me where you laid him,
and I will take him.”

 

Wrapped tightly in her sorrow she is startled

when the risen Jesus speaks to her.

She wants to cling to him...not trusting what her eyes were seeing.

Jesus speaks to her with one last request...

...go to my brothers and tell them,
‘I am going to my Father and your Father,
to my God and your God.’”

 

He gave her purpose. He sent her on a mission.

He gave her something to do...to occupy her mind and body.

 

 

 “Woman, why are you weeping?”

 

Suddenly her tears no longer seemed important.

Now she could ask herself...why was she weeping?

 

She felt much like the Israelites in the desert when they cried out to Moses.

 

Why did you do this to us?

Why did you bring us out into the desert to die?

We have nothing here in the sand, not even a place to bury the dead.

 

But Moses answered the people,
“Fear not! Stand your ground...

 

Moses had trust in God's protection...

His plan had one slight flaw; they were not to stand still.

Moses was to lead the people forward.

 

Jesus sent Mary forward to bring the news of his resurrection to the guys.

 

God instructed Moses to lift up his arm.

The power of God passed through Moses and the waters parted.

The Israelites passed safely on dry land,

but the Egyptians perished in the returning waters.

 

Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

This is the same glory that Mary Magdalene witnessed

that morning just outside the tomb.

 

God's glory is present today.

Blessings lie in opening our eyes to see his glory.

 

Choose something that you witness every day,

  let that be your reminder of God's glory.

 

The Israelites had the parting of the sea...

Mary had the meeting in the garden.

Where can you experience this glory of God?