Quite The Gal

Spring began on Monday, and Palm Sunday is not too far away.  Speaking of palms, I suspect many parishioners are under palms right now on some secluded Florida or Caribbean beach (or clustered among throngs of beachgoers competing for the shade of those palm trees).   I hope the former. 

This time of year pleasant spring weather is hard to find in New England, even on Cape Cod.  Those few days of warmth we’re lucky to get help us appreciate that hot, sunny days are coming.   Early spring storms are just hindrances and far easier to tolerate than dead-of-winter gloom and icy cold.

Easter flowers soon will be here, and our thoughts will turn to the Resurrection.  We’ll hear about the empty tomb and physical appearances of Jesus.   Of course, that’s all preceded by the arrest, trial, and his execution on the cross, as well as his abandonment by his apostles, although not by Mary Magdalene – the apostle to the apostles.

Consider the following 2016 news: “Pope Francis has raised the liturgical celebration of the memorial of St. Mary Magdalene to the dignity of a feast, the same rank given to the liturgical celebration of the Apostles, the Vatican announced on Friday.  The decree, signed by Cardinal Robert Sarah, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, and dated June 3, 2016 — Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus — was accompanied by a new Latin Preface for the Mass, and an article by His Excellency Arthur Roche, Secretary of the same Congregation. The article, titled Apostle of the Apostles [Apostolorum apostola], explains the Pope’s decision and highlights the prominence given to Mary Magdalene for centuries in the Church’s tradition.”

Quite the gal that Mary Magdalene!  She was the first witness who saw the risen Christ.  Mary prompts us to ask ourselves: Do we see the risen Christ in our lives?  And, do we experience the Resurrection through the continuing experience of God’s presence in and through Jesus?    This is the heart of our Christian faith.

Deacon David Pierce