Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Loving Jesus

Can we imagine the great love Mary of Magdala had for Jesus?  She found the empty tomb along with the other women, informed the disciples who verified her discovery, and returned to the garden to continue her mourning with the added confusion of the missing body. She had expected to find the stone intact over the door and the body inside, but that was not the case. Then, the man she assumes is the gardener, calls her name; it's a voice she recognizes, and her eyes and the eyes of her heart are opened and she clings to her beloved Jesus. Her love soars, and though not fully understanding, she knows it's Jesus and does not want to let him go, echoing the verse in the Song of Solomon: "When I found him whom my heart loves,/ I took hold of him and would not let him go." (Song 3:4).  We know the feeling when we rejoin a friend or relative we haven't seen for a long time. Can't hug enough. Mary's love kept her at the side of Mary the Mother of Jesus through the scourging, carrying of the cross and death of Jesus on Calvary, and now that love was reunited with her beloved.
This total dedication, this total love of Jesus is the model for us.  Such love enables us to bear whatever pain, annoyance, or challenge we are given.  There's no other way to make a lasting commitment to Jesus without it. Mary, help us to love Jesus as you did.
Bro. Rene
Note:  I arrived at St. Alfonso Retreat House without the mouse for my laptop, so I was not able to send a slice of bread.  Today I'm using a borrowed one...Thanks for your understanding.

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