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Wednesday, July 22, 2020

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St. Mary Magdalene


Song of Songs 3:1-4 or
2 Corinthians 5:14-17
Psalm 63:2-6, 8-9
John 20:1-2, 11-18

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love always finds a way

“I will seek Him Whom my heart loves.” —Song of Songs 3:2

Love can never be completely satisfied or complacent. Love by its very nature must be expressed, grow, and always find greater ways to bless the beloved. “Love following upon love” (Jn 1:16) always seeks the good of the other. Love, in a sense, is restless because love cannot rest until all is well with the beloved.
Love ignores personal safety and comfort. It always finds a way to increase the welfare of the beloved. Love seeks the beloved day and night (Sg 3:1-2). Love always seeks a way to reach the beloved, and if we seek to love, we will find a way (Mt 7:8).
This is the way Mary Magdalene loved Jesus. “The love of Christ” impelled her (2 Cor 5:14) to seek out Jesus. She had to be with Him, whether He was dying the gruesome death of an accused criminal (Jn 19:25) or risen in glorious splendor (Jn 20:16-17). This reflects the way Jesus loves us. We may be spiritually dead (Rv 3:1; 1 Jn 3:14), but Jesus loves us so much that He never stops seeking us.
“Love never fails” (1 Cor 13:8). If we love Jesus as much as did Mary Magdalene, we will find Him (Jer 29:13; Mt 7:8), and He will dwell in us and we in Him (1 Jn 4:16). Find the “Way” (Jn 14:6). Seek to love Jesus as did Mary Magdalene.

Prayer:  Jesus, You are Love (1 Jn 4:8). I love You so much. May our mutual love start a new fire of faith and love burning on the earth (Lk 12:49).

Promise:  “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old order has passed away; now all is new!” —2 Cor 5:17

Praise:  St. Mary Magdalene so loved Jesus that she remained with Him at Calvary when almost everyone else abandoned Him (see Jn 19:25).

Reference:  (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

Rescript:  "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for One Bread, One Body covering the period from June 1, 2020 through July 31, 2020. Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio September 18, 2019"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.