Thursday, February 26th
To complete today's challenge, find time to prayerfully read through the reflections below, attend a recovery meeting, and share what's on your heart and mind on today's discussion board.
REFLECT
Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene
I’ve always been inspired by Saint Mary Magdalene as she offers us a powerful story of conversion. Stop and think for a moment about what her life must have been like when she was tormented daily by demons. Jesus cast out from her the agony and fear that accompanies grave sin and demonic possession. She was given a second chance and sought a holy way of life, staying close to Jesus and the other disciples as they listened attentively to His teachings to ensure her old and sinful way of life never again reclaimed her.
As we see in today’s Gospel reading, she is also one of the first to arrive at Jesus’ empty tomb. Filled with deep sadness and distress, she fears His body has been stolen as a “gardener” approaches.
“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” (John 20:15-16).
Like Mary, those of us in recovery were once plagued by the demons of sin and self-destruction that our addictions and unhealthy attachments caused in our lives and in the lives of others. And like Mary, we must learn to recognize God’s voice as He continually calls each of us by name to a new and exciting encounter with His unending grace and perfect holiness. Let Saint Mary Magdalene inspire us to respond to God’s promptings in our program of action today. And with each passing day, we will continue to die to our former way of life and rise into newness of life with Him.
Reflection Questions
- Consider sharing with others an encounter you had when you knew God was calling you out of darkness and into His marvelous light. How did you respond to His call and what did you experience?
- What people, places, or things are you still trying to hold on to that you believe God is calling you to surrender and be set free from?
Daily Mass Readings
First Reading: Song of Songs 3:1-4b OR 2 Corinthians 5:14-17
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9
Gospel: John 20:1-2, 11-18
Reflection by Kathy B.
Saint Mary Magdalene
(First century) — Mary, born in Magdala in Galilee, may have been the unnamed woman caught in adultery and brought to Jesus (John 8:1-11), the sister of Martha (Luke 10:38-42, John 11), and the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet (Luke 7:36-50, John 12:1-8). What is certain is that she was freed from demonic possession and ministered to Jesus (Mark 16:9, Luke 8:2-3). Mary Magdalene was present at the crucifixion (John 19:25) and was the first witness of the Resurrection (Mark 16:9, John 20:11-18).
The following quote is the story of human recovery. How does it apply specifically to your story of recovery?
“The story of Mary of Magdala reminds us all of a fundamental truth: a disciple of Christ is one who, in the experience of human weakness, has had the humility to ask for his help, has been healed by him and has set out following closely after him, becoming a witness of the power of his merciful love that is stronger than sin and death” (Pope Benedict XVI, Angelus on June 23, 2006).
Reflection by Brad Farmer
Other Saints
Discuss
Share your thoughts and connect with others on this journey.
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I am still holding on fear in some areas which God is working with me to let go, give it to Him so that we can walk through the issues together with Him at the helm.