perseverance is essential to any good deed - feast of Mary Magdalene

Mary Magdalene was one of those who followed Jesus in his ministry, serving him and his disciples after the Lord had cast out seven demons from her.  She was also one of those who stood faithfully beneath the cross after all of his disciples, except John, abandoned him out of fear.  She was the first who sought the Lord in his tomb coming early on the first day of the week and while she sought she wept for love of him and with her eyes welling with tears she did not recognize him when he stood before her.  And so it happened that the woman who stayed behind to seek Christ was the only one to see him.  She is therefore rightly called the apostle of the resurrection for it is to her that the joy of Easter was first announced.  She saw him that Easter morn because, as St. Gregory the Great said of her, perseverance is essential to any good deed.  Her perseverance, her faithful love was rewarded.

I believe that this is the greatest test of any disciple.  The determining character in our quest that will see us through is the answer to the question – how far can we stick it out with the Lord – how far can we cling and hold on to him?  How far can we go?  This is what this feast seeks to form in us – perseverance through faithful love, the same ardent love that made Mary Magdalene stood faithfully beneath the cross, standing there long after all the other apostles abandoned him in their fear.  The same ardent love that made her seek the Lord even though finding him among the dead is so slim if not altogether impossible.  But she stayed on, she gave her best shot, she continued to hope even as her eyes were covered with tears of despair.  Faithful love.  Love till the end.

How about us?  Amidst the deprivation can we remain faithful?  In the midst of hardships can we remain persevering?  In the face of inconveniences can we keep moving on?  When burdened by painful separation, can we go on believing?  To be willing to stand beneath the cross, to be zealous in our search for him – this is what ardent faithful love is all about.