Collect taken from the memorial of St. Mary Magdalene, apostle to the Apostles.
Collect: O God, whose Only Begotten Son entrusted Mary Magdalene before all others with announcing the great joy of the Resurrection, grant, we pray, that through her intercession and example we may proclaim the living Christ and come to see him reigning in your glory. Who lives and reigns…
“O God, whose Only Begotten Son entrusted Mary Magdalene before all others with announcing the great joy of the Resurrection,”
– As always, the honor we see given to a particular person is counted toward the glory of God. So we recall this favor given Mary Magdalene to stir up our faith and wonder before presenting our petition.
“grant, we pray, that through her intercession and example we may proclaim the living Christ and come to see him reigning in your glory.”
– Just as Mary Magdalene was so overwhelmed with joy that she ran to the Apostles to announce the good news, so we ask God for the grace to proclaim Jesus Christ with such fervor and sincerity. Proclaiming Christ should not be done only out of a selfish desire to avoid hell, but out of a positive longing to see Christ in glory, which is what will bring us true happiness.
Questions & Advice: How often do you marvel at what God has done for his people and in the lives of the saints? Does the resurrection of Christ fill you with joy? Do you long for heaven more than you fear hell?
Read about the glory of God in the catechism (293-4). Spend some of your daily prayer time praying for a person who does not know the hope which the resurrection gives to us. Consider telling them about how Christ’s resurrection gives you joy.
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| Sancta Maria Magdalena, ora pro nobis! |