The other Mary, Mary Magdalene, from whom Scripture tells us, Jesus had cast out seven demons, also stood at the foot of the Cross. The first Mary, innocent and pure. The second, a public sinner.
Yet although the two women begin very differently, they end together, united to Christ in His Passion, having followed him faithfully, to the very foot of the Cross. Jesus proclaimed that whoever would wish to be his disciple, must daily take up his Cross and follow him, and that is what both women did. Both women followed him, because they loved him. Mary Mother of God loved him as his mother and as his true disciple. Mary Magdalene loved him as a disciple, because as Jesus says elsewhere, “the one who has been forgiven much, loves much.”
For this reason, just as both women are united to Christ in his Passion, so they would also be united in his resurrection, and are now united in heaven, seeing him as He really is, face-to-face.
Here we see the marvellous work of God. Two women with very different beginnings, both come together, united in Christ’s Passion, united in his resurrection, and now united in His glory. This should be a source of hope for all of us, whether we are innocent like St. Therese of the Child Jesus, or whether we have lived a sinful life, as St. Augustine. The power of Christ to save is unlimited. It is never too late to turn to him with true contrition, true sorrow for our sins, asking his forgiveness, particularly through that wonderful sacrament of confession, and trusting in his never-failing, infinite Merciful Love.
As Jesus proclaims, “Now is the time to repent. Now is the day of salvation.”
[1] Ineffabilis Deus (8 December, 1854) by Pope Pius IX.
