WEDNESDAY 22ND JULY 2020
FEAST OF ST MARY MAGDALENE
Songs of Solomon 3:1-4 or 2Cor
5:14-17, John 20:1-2,11-18
HOW MUCH CAN YOU LOVE?
The book of songs of Solomon is a
very romantic compilation in form of a love poem. It shows the love that exists
between a lover and the one he/she loves. It is a form of romantic conversation
between a man and a woman. The book is attributed to Solomon. A friend had once
asked me how in God's name the book found it's way into the bible.
Mary Magdalene fits very well as
a good spouse portrayed by Solomon in the first reading. She is the lover who
did not give up until she saw the one her soul loved.
Mary Magdalene is recognized in
the bible as the one Jesus cured of 7 demons, the gospel of John states that
she is the sister of Martha and Lazarus. She is also said to be the same Mary
who was a sinner and Jesus forgave her sin. The Eastern church celebrates 3
different people called Mary. It is believed that she grew with so much love
for Jesus because of what he had done for her. She became a real disciple of
Jesus, caring for him and his disciples as they moved from place to place to
preach the gospel.
She was present at the
crucifixion of Jesus and she did not leave until she was sure Jesus had been
buried. She loved Jesus even in death that immediately after the sabbath, she
decided to go and anoint his body, it was then she discovered that Jesus had risen.
She was therefore the one sent by Jesus to inform the other Apostles that he
had risen. This was why she was referred to as the Apostle to the Apostles in
the early church.
It is therefore a challenge for
us all today. How much do we really love God for all that he has done for us?
How much good can we do to show that we appreciate God? Mary Magdalene is a
model. St Paul in the alternative first reading tells us that what will urge us
to live a good life is if we love God. When we are able to think of what God
has done for us, and the fact that Jesus died for our sins out of love for us,
we will start living a new way of life, knowing that we have become a new
creation in God. God help us. Amen.
Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP
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