Feast of
Saint Mary Magdalene
(Song of
Songs 3:1-4b; John 20:1-2.11-18)
The Song of
Songs was originally a Hebrew love poem.
It remains part of Scripture as an allegory expressing God’s love for Israel
or, -- for Christians -- Christ’s love for the Church. Today’s passage describes the beloved’s
active pursuit of her lover faintly like Hosea in search of his wife or the Lord’s
parable of the shepherd risking life and flock to seek the lost sheep,
Of course,
the passage is read now to indicate Mary Magdalene’s desire to see the body of
her dear Lord. Even though Jesus is supposedly dead, Mary’s love for him is “stronger
than death.” as a famous phrase in the Song of Songs says. Her
faithful love is rewarded when she sees Jesus, not dead and even more than physically
alive.
He will
make himself present to us as well when we actively pursue him. We find him in
the sacraments and in prayer. Unlike the
literal gospel, he will allow us to cling to him in worship so that we too may
become more than physically alive.
