Today is Friday, July 24, 2026: Get Ready for Sunday, July 26, 2026:  Emmaus Community Celebrates the Feast of Mary of Magdala


The essential question is 

"What does Mary of Magdala have to teach us today?” 


By Victoria: 

Our upcoming Emmaus liturgy celebrates the feast of Mary Magdalene, and we will honor her legacy by exploring what Mary of Magdala might have to teach us.  We’ll use scriptural texts, video, poetry, and prayer, and our liturgy will look at how a woman who was barely mentioned more than a dozen times in scripture, can come to be known as “The Apostle to the Apostles.”  The essential question is "What does Mary of Magdala have to teach us today?” 

Mary seemed to love Jesus with her whole being -- she "got" his message, maybe in a way that the more fearful apostles didn't. Jesus knew this.  He felt this love.  It was Mary to whom he first appeared. She didn't recognize him at first, thinking he was the gardener, until he said, "Mary," and she recognized his voice. Then she rejoiced.  She wasn't fearful.  She embraced the risen Christ and didn't doubt.  When she ran to tell the apostles, it was the apostles who doubted! 

The apostle’s, predominantly left brain, rational (masculine) minds said, "No --this cannot be…it doesn't make any sense."  They were sequestered up in that upstairs room, both physically and metaphorically!  It was Mary who burst through the door of their fear, in the same way that Jesus burst forth from the tomb. 

Mary can teach us that it isn't belief that is important.  It isn't a set of rules or a creed that is important.  It’s simply love!  Mary calls us to love.  To open our arms and our hearts to the power of love.  Not to worry or fear, not to make rules or laws about how to worship; about who is worthy to receive; not to worry about who gets in and who doesn't. Mary shows us how we can leave the door open…and just love. 


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