the other Mary

Today is the Feast of Mary Magdalene, beloved friend and follower of Jesus, apostle to the apostles. In her honor, the Church uses one of my all time favorite Gospel passages in the liturgy today:

Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping. ... she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and then reported what he told her. (John 20)

This holy interaction often comes to my mind and heart at certain moments in my own life. Those times when things seem hopeless, out of control, overwhelming. Those times when Jesus seems so far away, if only I could reach out to him. And then, Jesus says to me, "Susan!" and I turn and say "Rabbouni." Not literally of course, but in prayer, in my heart, in the deep.

I'm going to spend some time in prayer today with Mary Magdalene.