Thursday, July 23, 2026: There is a Mary Magdalene within each of us — fearless, compassionate and wise, loving and visionary. By Sister Larretta Rivera-Williams 


May God grant us mercy and compassion, for God alone truly knows our hearts. Only God understands our deepest desires, failures, struggles and aspirations. 

Mary Magdalene knew well the pain of rejection, accusation and character assassination. Through such humiliation, she came to experience the transformative power of God working within her soul. She took nothing for granted as she encountered love, forgiveness, healing, and the restoration of dignity and integrity. \

What a privilege it was for Mary Magdalene to witness the risen Christ and proclaim that Jesus had risen from the dead. Yet, despite her faithfulness, she was questioned and not believed. The apostles’ disbelief revealed not only their uncertainty, but also their struggle to fully trust the promise Jesus had spoken to them. 

There is a Mary Magdalene within each of us — fearless, compassionate and wise, loving and visionary. 

Today, many people continue to live with the pain of rejection and suspicion. Immigrants seeking safety, opportunity, and dignity are often misunderstood, judged, or treated as strangers rather than sisters and brothers. 

People of color continue to endure racism, discrimination, and the burden of proving their worth in places where they should already be welcomed and respected. 

There is a Mary Magdalene in all who suffer humiliation, exclusion, and disbelief. 

As followers of Christ, we are called to see beyond labels, politics, fear, and prejudice. We are called to recognize the face of God in every person and to uphold the dignity of all humanity. The Gospel challenges us to become witnesses of mercy, compassion, justice, and truth. 

There are many who preach loudly and wave banners of faith. Yet actions can sometimes contradict words, causing others to question so-called Christian convictions. Such contradictions can become seeds of disbelief, uncertainty, and disillusionment. 

Still, there is a Mary Magdalene within each of us — longing to be free, heard, seen and restored, clothed in the grace of God. 

May we, like Mary Magdalene, remain faithful witnesses to hope, mercy, and the transforming love of the risen Christ. 

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