Christ’s mysteries are the foundation of our faith

Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor.

A reflection on the daily readings, for the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene, by Father Perry.

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor

It has been conjectured that Mary Magdalene was the sister of Lazarus and Martha, and was also the woman who went into the house of Simon Peter and anointed Jesus‘ feet. But this has since been debunked by modern scholars — and hence the myth. But although her identity is rather skimpy, what is said about her is praiseworthy. She was clearly a follower of Jesus. She clearly admired and loved him greatly.

There are two first readings to choose from in today’s liturgy. The first from the Song of Songs is clearly a poetic reading about lovers. One of the lovers, the bride, wakes and seeks her love in the bed, but finds him not. She then rises and seeks him through the city at dawn and still finds him not. Then as the city watchmen make their morning rounds throughout the city, she questions them —

“Him whom my soul loves — have you seen him?”

It just doesn’t get any more poetic and lovely. As sensual as this passage seems, it is simply a beautiful depiction of love.

The optional first reading is no less powerful in its description of love and love’s effects —

“For the love of Christ impels.”

And then as it makes a distinction between love in the “flesh” and love in the “spirit,” it concludes that “yet we know him so [in the flesh] no longer” for we have come to know him in the Spirit and have become “‘a new creation.'”

And that reflection of Paul describes what happened in John’s Gospel, when Mary went to the Easter morning tomb to find it empty. As she wept and questioned, two men (angels) at the tomb as to whether they knew who had taken the body of Jesus and where they put it; she turned about and she saw Jesus, but she did not recognize him freshly risen. Thinking Jesus was the gardener, she asked if he (Jesus) had carried Jesus’ body away (so much wonderful mystery). Jesus calls out her name (Mary), and instant recognition occurs. Instantly, the tears disappeared. Hugs ensued. Jesus detached, explaining he had first to “ascend to the Father.” And she ran and told the disciples everything!

Yes! Today is a story of profound love. It is ladled with mystery, for sure. And although the resurrection is not myth, but rather profound truth of the highest order, it does still remain a mystery, too; and in this great mystery lies the foundation of our faith in the Christ.

No doubt about it. This woman, who was the first to discover the empty tomb and who loved Jesus profoundly, leads us to this “love of Christ that compels us.”