14 April 2020
Tuesday in the Octave of Easter
The gospel offers a very important story, one that provides a clear insight into both Christian and Ignatian spirituality. We can well imagine the scene, a contemplation of place as Ignatius would suggest. Mary Magdalen’s life has been turned upside down. Someone who has given her meaning and direction as well as direction for others has been killed simply for telling the truth. She returns to the tomb where she buried her hopes and direction in life. But there, the resurrected Lord appears to her and life is not only returned but given a whole new meaning. The temptation of course would be to bask in this joy, to savor it like a Florida beach during a Wisconsin winter. But instead, Jesus says “off you go” spread the word, share this gift with others. Mary is sent, on a mission to spread the good news. She is not to savor this time like some special vintage alone or with a few select friends. She is missioned by Christ to be a witness of God’s power through Christ and the power of this message. St. Ignatius, after he accepted the graces given to him by God, could not sit still either. For Ignatius, the admonition to go out to the entire world was taken very seriously and Jesuits were on the boat or on horseback even before the order was officially established. This reading, the day after Easter, was meant especially for those who received baptism on Easter in the early church. But the obligation of spreading the values of Christianity and the source of these values is just as real for us today.
May I suggest for today’s spiritual activity a rosary offered for the intentions of all those in the field of medical research who are working throughout the world in search of a vaccine. We pray with all men and women of faith that these men and women will use their gifts in understanding the complexities of God’s creation for health of all humanity. How are we doing on that project of cleaning out that storage area?