The Mission of Women in the Easter Message
MARY:
Visiting an 80 year old woman on Good Friday, I asked her what her thoughts were about this day? She quietly replied: “I wonder who walked Blessed Mother ‘home’ after the crucifixion?” Each year, that question comes back because it has profound meaning for me. I thought of the beloved apostle, John. John simply states:
Near the cross of Jesus there stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary, the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. Seeing His mother there with the disciple whom He loved, Jesus said to His mother, ‘Woman, there is your son’. In turn, He said to the disciple, “There is your mother”. te The Reed of God (1944), a small book of essays about the profound life of Blessed Mother. She reflects:
“She was beginning to grow old. She had seen her Son through His life and death; she had closed His eyes and put Him into the tomb, and she must wait, to see those eyes opening again, until she got to heaven. Perhaps Our Lord took so young an apostle as John into His motley little company in order that he should be still a boy when he took Our Lady, home. Perhaps, too, His very special love for John may have had something to do with the future, in which Christ foresaw John giving His Mother no time to grieve. She had been crucified we know; and her longing for Christ is beyond our knowing, but faith and John in the house could make life very full. It is moving to think of her once more baking cakes and talking of the things that interested John. How fitting it was that the companion of John’s thought should be Our Lady. For John was the mind of crystal in which all the fires of love reflected and Mary was the mind of the girl who sang the Magnificat. (Houselander, 2006. The Reed of God. Notre Dame, Ind. Ave Maria Press, pp.183-184).
After Pentecost, John would evangelize and brought Mary with him to the House of Mary in Ephesus, Turkey, and its surrounding area, Panaghia Capouli. (Carl Schulte, CM (2009) A Guiding Star. Cold Spring Harbor, New York: Grancey Foundation, p.2. The mission continued for Mary of bringing her son, Jesus, into the world.
MARY MAGDALENE:
Mary Magdalene longed for Jesus. “Mary stood weeping beside the tomb.” (John: 20:11). She was confused; she could not find Him. “The Lord has been taken away and I do not know where they have put Him” (John 20: 13). Suddenly, Jesus said to her “Mary!” She turned to Him and said “Rabbouni” (meaning “Teacher”). Jesus then said: “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Rather, go to my brothers and tell them, ‘ I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God (John: 20: 16-18). Mary Magdalene went to the disciples. “I have seen the Lord! (John: 20:18. Mary Magdalene, who loved Jesus, was the first to know that Jesus had risen! Love longs for the beloved. Love hears the message. Mary Magdalene, not only told the disciples; she told the world “I have seen the Lord, the Risen Lord! Mary Magdalene’s mission was to proclaim ‘the Risen Lord’- Rabbouni (“Teacher”).
His Blessed Mother and Mary Magdalene, chosen by the Risen Lord, to proclaim the message. In this 21st century, what is the message of Easter for us that the Risen Jesus, ‘Rabbouni’ whispers to us? As Ladies of Charity, what is ‘the mission’ that Jesus wants of us as we strive to serve in this Vincentian community that supports the poor and vulnerable?
Sr. Fran Ryan, DC
LCUSA Spiritual Moderator
President’s Message
Easter fills this special time of year with the realization of the Lord’s resurrection and the infusion of new Life. The Ladies of Charity of the United States of America wish all their members and friends a very Happy Easter. With spring in the air, flowers and trees bursting with blossoms, opportunities and challenges lie ahead for all of us.
The faith of our fathers strengthen each of us to see the gift of life, no matter how short, as a blessing that we inherited only because God’s son gave His life for us. Be attentive to those most vulnerable so that they too know that new life has been received through the passion and death of Jesus Christ. Your example of joy and renewal will inspire those around you. Quoting Blessed Pope John Paul II, “It is not possible to live and grow in the faith without the support of a group, of a Christian community. It is here that you will learn together to build a better world.” Let us then build a better world together as Ladies of Charity knowing that our accomplishments are those of God and not ourselves.
Best wishes to everyone during this special Easter Season!
Lucy Ann Saunders
LCUSA President
