Feast of Mary Magdalene

Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid. When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” Mark 15:47—16:7

Loving God, Creator who knows our hearts

you bring the least to witness miracles

hold close the children and the outcasts

and led Mary Magdalene out to the tomb.

It is not the perfect or the angelic you call

but the battered and the misunderstood

It is the shamed, neglected and shunned

you make your messengers of your love.

We rush to criticism and rash judgment

while you look on each with love's eyes

you offer you healing and restoration

to all who will turn to you for help.

Let us be like Mary who went in grief

finding resurrection she was the herald

let us announce that God's love is here

and let us share that love with everyone. Amen.