JOHN 20:1-2, 11-18 GO AND TELL MY BROTHERS

Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene

Today the Church celebrates Saint Mary Magdalene, a woman whose life was completely transformed by an encounter with Jesus. She had experienced His healing, remained faithful to Him at the foot of the Cross when many had fled, and was the first to witness the empty tomb. Because the Risen Lord entrusted her with the message of the Resurrection, the Church has beautifully called her the "Apostle to the Apostles."

What is remarkable in today's Gospel is that Mary recognizes Jesus only when He calls her by name: "Mary!" In her grief, she could not recognize Him. But the moment she hears His voice, everything changes. It reminds us that our faith is not simply about knowing facts about Jesus; it is about a personal relationship with the One who knows each of us by name.

After calling her by name, Jesus immediately gives Mary a mission: "Go to my brothers and tell them..." Her encounter with the Risen Christ was never meant to remain a private experience. She was sent to share the Good News with others. That is why she is called the "Apostle to the Apostles." She became the first messenger of the Resurrection.

The same is true for us. Every time we encounter Christ—in prayer, in the Eucharist, in His Word, or in the people around us—He sends us out to witness to His love. We may never preach to large crowds, but through our words, our kindness, our forgiveness, and the joy with which we live our faith, we become apostles in our own homes, workplaces, and communities.

Perhaps today's Gospel invites us to ask ourselves: Have I truly encountered the Risen Lord in a way that changes how I live? Like Mary Magdalene, may we listen for Jesus calling us by name, and may we have the courage to go and tell others that He is alive. The world still needs witnesses of the Resurrection, and that mission now belongs to each of us.

With Love and Prayers

Your Co-Traveler

Father Leo