An Updated Reflection
In today’s first reading it is important to catch the prophet Micah’s question: "Who is like God?" Mary Magdalene is a model of one persevering in the search. Micah is telling the people that God is a God of mercy who forgives sins but also removes the guilt sinners might carry. For anyone carrying sins in his/her heart the picture Micah gives us is reassuring: God is a compassionate God who tosses our sins to the bottom of the oceans. Our God is compassionate: he grinds our guilt into the earth.
Micah’s question remains: "Who is like this God?" We might respond: "There is no one like him, of course." However, there is: perhaps a surprise. You and me, we have been made in the image of God: we are called to be like God.
How can this be? Through being willing to forgive others; through being slow in letting anger take over immediately in unpleasant moments; through being joyful in extending forgiveness to someone; through grinding down any grudges growing in our hearts.
Today’s feast honoring Mary Magdalene, should recall her perseverance. Pope Gregory the Great noted Mary did not recognize the Risen Jesus when he called her "woman" but only when he called her "Mary." This one word in effect was saying "Recognize me as I recognize you. I do not know you I know others. I know you as yourself."
This is truly a part of the challenge of our spiritual journey: to persevere in efforts to be like God. Saints, once sinners, a la Magdalene, should help us, strengthen us and, and when asked, intercede for us before our God.
