FIRST READING
We regard Christ according to the flesh no longer.
A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 5:14-17)
Brethren: The love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all, that those who live might live no longer for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh; even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new his come.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 63:2.2-4.5-6.8-9(R. see2b)
R/. For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord, my God.
O God, you are my God; at dawn I seek you;
For you my soul is thirsting.
For you my flesh is pining,
Like a dry, weary land without water. R/.
I have come before you in the sanctuary,
To behold your strength and your glory.
Your loving mercy is better than life;
My lips will speak your praise. R/.
R/. For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord, my God
I will bless you all my life;
In your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul shall be filled as with a banquet;
With joyful lips, my mouth shall praise you. R/.
For you have been my strength;
In the shadow of your wings I rejoice.
My soul clings fast to you;
Your right hand upholds me. R/.
ALLELUIA
Alleluia. O Mary, tell us what you saw along the way. The tomb I saw of the living Christ, and the glory of the Risen One. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 20:1-2.11-18)
Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” Mary Magdalene went and said to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
Jesus forgave Mary Magdalene her many sins because she had loved much. She proved her repentance by wiping his feet with her tears of sorrow and anointed them with precious ointment. She showed her gratitude by dedicating the rest of her life to the service of the kingdom. She is said to be one of the women who courageously accompanied Jesus even to the foot of the cross. Above all, she was the first person to witness the resurrection of Jesus. According to one tradition, Mary Magdalene spent the last thirty years of her life in prayer and contemplation about heavenly realities. Her story depicts the wonders of God’s grace always at work in the life of those who believe in Christ and are always ready to do God’s will at all times.