Mary Magdalene’s feast day July 22nd ,2021.

 

To conclude our Novena let us pray three Our Fathers, three Hail Mary’s and three Glory Be. Thank you for going on this journey with me, I hope you have fallen in love with this beautiful woman and that you feel stronger and bolder to go towards the blessed sacrament, the feet of Jesus on the cross through intense adoration and contemplation.

I am supposed to love you, that is what God created me for and maybe I am only to love you from a far or in the silence of my heart where I hear God whispering sweet words and soft melody's to my soul that thirsts for a love that is so passionate and intimate. One day it will all be revealed the love God wants us to have a love so pure, a love that is intense and beautiful which magnifies God not us only God. Until that day when it is all revealed you shall find me serving others in the name of Christ with a smile on my face, at the foot of cross or in front of the blessed sacrament. 

May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope

Written and created by My Mother Rose. 

Day 9 of Novena Saint Mary Magdalene-

 

Day 9 of Novena Saint Mary Magdalene-

Mary’s heart broken and grieving:

Reflection:

In 2011, my Nan passed away and it was heartbreaking and very sad. I cannot imagine what it would have felt like for Mary Magdalene, Mary our mother of God or anyone else who watched the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. We all experience grief when we have lost someone or something we have loved at times it is so hard to breathe because I miss my Nan, Granddad, Bee-Bee and Aunty Da so much I read a quote that said love is the last act we can give our loved one who has departed but I say that their love continues on in my heart and now in the hearts of my son and daughter and to those who I meet on a daily basis. I do not really think you get over the death or the loss of someone you have loved I mean we relive the death of Jesus every year, but I think it is simply about making it through each day, each night remembering how much we are loved by someone. However, I am always reminded of ‘Mizpah’ Genesis 31:49 Let the LORD act as watchman between us when we are no longer in sight of each other. I want to share a poem which my Nan selected for me to read at her funeral it is called,

When I am Gone

When I am gone release me,

 let me go, I have so many things to see and do.

You mustn’t tie yourself to me with tears,

 be happy that we had so many beautiful years.

I gave to you, my love; you can only guess how much you gave me in happiness.

I thank you for the love you each have shown, but now it is time I travel alone.

So, grieve for me awhile, if you must, then let your grief be comforted by my trust.

It is only for awhile we must part, so bless the memories in your heart.

I won’t be far away, for life carries on, so if you need me, call and I will come.

Though you cannot see or touch me, I will be near. And if you listen within your heart you will hear. All my love around you, soft and clear. And then when you must come this way alone, I will greet you with a smile and say

“Welcome Home.”

John 13:31-35 When he had gone Jesus said:

‘Now has the Son of Man been glorified, and in him God has been glorified in him, God will in turn glorify him in himself, and will glorify him very soon.

My little children, I shall not be with you much longer. You will look for me, and, as I told the Jews, where I am going, you cannot come. I give you a new commandment: love one another; just as I have loved you, you also must love one another. By this love you have for one another, everyone will know that you are my disciples.’

Prayer:

Saint Mary Magdalene, pray for us…

You, who carried the alabaster jar of perfume, pray for us.

You, who from dark clay became purest crystal, pray for us.

Diamond, passing from the dust to the light, pray for us.

Transformed into a vessel of glory, pray for us.

Sparkling pearl, pray for us.

Blazing Torch for the whole world, pray for us.

Apostle to the Apostles, pray for us.

Sweet Advocate of Penitents, pray for us.

Amen,

May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope,

Photo, Written and created by My Mother Rose.

Saint Mary Magdalene and the Eucharist

 Throughout the Novena I mention the book by Saint Mary Magdalene, Prophetess of Eucharistic Love by Fr. Sean Davidson Ignatius. Well I found a video of Fr. Sean Davidson talking about this book. 

May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope. 

Day 8 of Novena Saint Mary Magdalene-

 

Day 8 of Novena Saint Mary Magdalene-

An Apostle, proclaiming the Good News:

John 20:17 Jesus said to her, ‘Do not cling to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and find the brothers and tell them: I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’

Reflection:

The following are instructions we may hear at the end of mass.

“Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord”

“Go in peace”

“Mass has ended, go in peace to love, serve the Lord and one another.”

“Mass has ended, let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord.”

Do you go and do what is instructed of you each time you attend mass? Do you go in peace? Do you go to love, love the Lord and one another? Do you go to serve the Lord? And do you go and announce the Good News?

Mary Magdalene was given instructions to go and tell. I will share the accounts from the bible and from the Gospel of Mary Magdalene which comes from the book Mary Magdalene Revealed, The Frist Apostle, Her Feminist Gospel & the Christianity we Have not Tried Yet by Meggan Watterson, with you all and then I hope you might find the time to go and tell others of your own account on Mary Magdalene do not be afraid, Women of Faith and Hope.

Peter said to Mary; “Sister, we know the Savior loved you more than all other women. Tell us the words of the Savior that you remember; the things which you know that we don’t because we haven’t heard them.” Mary 6:1-2

Mary responded, “I will teach you about what is hidden from you.” Mary 6:3

Matthew 28:5-10 But the angel spoke; and he said to the women, there is no need for you to be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not her, for he has risen, as he said he would. Come and see the place where he lay, then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has risen from the dead and now he is going before you to Galilee; it is there you will see him” Now I have told you. Filled with awe and great joy the women came quickly away from the tomb and ran to tell the disciples.

And there, coming to meet them, was Jesus. ‘Greetings’ he said. And the women came up to him and, falling before him, clasped his feet. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for and tell my brothers that they must leave for Galilee; they will see me there.’

Mark 16:7-13 But you must go and tell his disciples and Peter, “He is going before you to Galilee; it is there you will see him, just as he told you.” And the women came out and ran away from the tom because they were frightened out their wits; and they said nothing to a soul, for they were afraid. Having risen in the morning on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary of Magdala from whom he had cast out seven devils. She then went to those who had been his companions and who were mourning and in tears and told them. But they did not believe her when they heard her say that he was alive and that she had seen him. After this, he showed himself under another from to two of them as they were on their way into the country. These went back and told the others, who did not believe them either.

Luke 24:5-11 As they stood there not knowing what to think, tow men in brilliant clothes suddenly appeared at their side. Terrified, the women lowered their eyes. But the tow men said to them, ‘Why look among the dead for someone who is alive? He is not here; he has risen. Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee; that the Son of Man had to be handed over into the power of sinful men and be crucified, and the rise again on the third day? And they remembered his words.

When the women returned from the tomb, they told all this to the Eleven and to all the others. The women were Mary of Magdala, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. The other women with them told the apostles, but this story of theirs seemed pure nonsense, and they did not believe them.

Prayer:

Saint Mary Magdalene, pray for us…

You, who carried the alabaster jar of perfume, pray for us.

You, who from dark clay became purest crystal, pray for us.

Diamond, passing from the dust to the light, pray for us.

Transformed into a vessel of glory, pray for us.

Sparkling pearl, pray for us.

Blazing Torch for the whole world, pray for us.

Apostle to the Apostles, pray for us.

Sweet Advocate of Penitents, pray for us.

Amen,

May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope

Written, photo and created by My Mother Rose.

 

Day 7 of Novena Saint Mary Magdalene-

 

Day 7 of Novena Saint Mary Magdalene-

Magdalene a generous soul:

Matthew 26:12-13 When she poured this ointment on my body, she did it to prepare me for my burial. I tell you solemnly, wherever in all the world this Good News is proclaimed, what she has done will be told also, in remembrance of her.

John 12:7-8 So Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone; she had to keep this scent for the day of my burial. You have the poor with you always, you will not always have me.’

Reflection:

There will always be people who do not realize or understand the kindness and generosity which is hidden in a soul. I must always explain to my children it is ok to be sensitive because often people say being sensitive is a weakness, but I disagree. Sometimes, being kind in this cruel world reflects a strong and beautiful soul that cares, loves and is passionate.

You see Jesus love us all equally, as he loved himself, but he loved Mary Magdalene a little bit more than others and it is very clear that she moves among the other disciples as a child of true humanity. One word to describe what Mary became is Anthropos- it is a Greek word meaning to become the best human you can be. What I have learnt from reading about Mary Magdalene is our own potential of Anthropos, to live full lives as true children of humanity, which is both flesh and spirit, both human and divine. In the book Mary Magdalene Revealed, The Frist Apostle, Her Feminist Gospel & the Christianity we Haven’t Tried Yet by Meggan Watterson mentions, Mary had the ears to hear and that the disciples did not. What I see in the church today and it seems to be a problem and they suggest the following, ‘Better two than one by himself, since thus their work is really profitable. If one should fall; the other helps him up; but woe to the man by himself with no one to help him up when he falls down.’  Ecclesiastes 4:9-10. But here is the problem really, know one is really willing to be a companion or to even be a spiritual equal and I do not really believe anyone understands fully the process of human love that can unite us from within because to huddle in a group and whisper and talk about others is not human love. Our examples however are Mary Magdalene and Jesus Christ. Jesus taught Mary a lot in private from within her heart.

If only we were prepared to listen to the divine secrets being whispered into our precious hearts than our egos would not choose who we journey with rather it would be a choice our Lord Jesus Christ has made. The more you ignore the silent presence of God and his pure love the more you are putting off the inevitable. Deep down I know God has chosen me for you just as Mary knew she was chosen to anoint Jesus Christ. You do not choose me because you feel as though I cause division if only you would listen to God and not your ego. Songs of Songs 5:2 I sleep, but my heart is awake. I hear my beloved knocking. ‘Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my perfect one, for my head is covered with dew, my locks with the drops of night.’

Prayer:

Saint Mary Magdalene, pray for us…

You, who carried the alabaster jar of perfume, pray for us.

You, who from dark clay became purest crystal, pray for us.

Diamond, passing from the dust to the light, pray for us.

Transformed into a vessel of glory, pray for us.

Sparkling pearl, pray for us.

Blazing Torch for the whole world, pray for us.

Apostle to the Apostles, pray for us.

Sweet Advocate of Penitents, pray for us.

Amen,

May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope

Written, photo, created by My Mother Rose

Day 6 of Novena to Saint Mary Magdalene-

 

Day 6 of Novena to Saint Mary Magdalene-

Mary’s Unconditional Love:

Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD has appeared to him from afar; I have loved you with an everlasting love, so I am constant in my affection for you.

Reflection:

I believe one of the bravest things anyone can do is love someone unconditionally without expecting anything in return. I am guilty of expecting things in return, and this is probably because I am jealous and envious. However, I want to be honest and speak with truth in my heart, love terrifies me not only am I afraid of being hurt I am afraid of being the one who does the hurting. It appears love knows no limits; I am not sure what that means but it sounds cool.

I want to ask a question, have you ever met someone and felt as though you have loved them before like from a past life and there is this divine connection between the both of you? If so, that is great because I will always remember this quote from The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society book and movie, “Do you suppose it’s possible for us to already belong to someone before we’ve met them?” Juliet Ashton. I guess at some point of our lives we are called to love, we are asked to go on a journey or a very long and exhausting adventure to find the true meaning of love, the Holy of Holies, God’s love and when it is found we are to put that love into action or share that love with ourselves, our families, our friends, our brothers and sisters basically with all of God’s creations and creatures. But what holds us back? Are we  afraid of judgement and rejection? Writing that question I hear God saying 'don't push the boundaries we have been there before, in my time Katie we will approach with peace and gentleness.'

Our Divine Lord found in Mary’s heart a kind of angelic love that gives us all a glimpse of a life in heaven.  Mary was continuously judged by others and at one time or another we most likely have judged her but here is a woman who honored who she was, and Christ understood her. Jesus saw Mary as a beautiful soul who could understand far more than any other because she had learnt the true meaning and the secret to love.

Now, Mary Magdalene probably did not know how her love was called upon to repair the Pharisee’s neglect of Christ and again it was called upon to repair a wound far more painful to the heart of Jesus. Do we know what we are called to do? Are we called upon to repair a broken heart or someone who has been neglected? It is hard to love someone who ignores and can be very rude, it can hurt and sometimes it breaks my heart, it is possible I have said yes to God and have accepted my mission. My mission of unconditional love.

Prayer:

Saint Mary Magdalene, pray for us…

You, who carried the alabaster jar of perfume, pray for us.

You, who from dark clay became purest crystal, pray for us.

Diamond, passing from the dust to the light, pray for us.

Transformed into a vessel of glory, pray for us.

Sparkling pearl, pray for us.

Blazing Torch for the whole world, pray for us.

Apostle to the Apostles, pray for us.

Sweet Advocate of Penitents, pray for us.

Amen,

May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope.

Written, photo and created by My Mother Rose

Adoro te Devote - Juliano Ravanello - Gregorian Chants

Starting on the 13th of July we will start a Novena to Saint Mary Magdalene and I wanted to share a hymn by Saint Thomas Aquinas who shares the same vulnerability which melts their hearts and brings tears to their eyes. Both Saint Mary Magdalene and Saint Thomas Aquinas had so much awe for the living presence of Jesus on the blessed cross and the blessed sacrament. Adoro te Devote means, 'I devoutly adore you' and I wanted to share a little bit of the song in English,

'I do not see the wounds as Thomas did,

But I confess that you are my God.

Make me believe more and more in you,

Hope in you and love you.'

I am looking forward to this Novena and I hope you all will experience love, love for yourself, love for God and love for others.

May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope.

Created by Katie Robinson

Day 5 of Novena to Saint Mary Magdalene-

 

The Saint who loves much:

John 13:34-35 I give you a new commandment: love one another; just as I have loved you, you also must love one another. By this love you have for one another, everyone will know that you are my disciples.

Reflection:

1 Samuel 12:16 Stand here, then, and watch the great wonder the LORD will do before your eyes.

I set out with a new intention in the way I approached mass and the altar I arrived and kneeled, announcing to Jesus; “I am here.”  I sat back and started to read some of my book, and I heard ‘Fervent Love,’ I offer to anyone who meets me my faith, hopes and my fervent love a love which prevails through many disappointments and heartbreaks. I never give up though on my passion or enthusiasm for a life lived with our Lord Jesus Christ which allows me to distinguish between what is right and wrong, what a person needs and seeks from God and what I believe most of all is a person needs love, compassion, shelter, comfort, understanding and healing. However, I am treated like the enemy, a monster or Barabbas who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder. Lately, well for a long time now God wants to give me the gift of Love, love for myself, love for my family and love for others who are my neighbors, my brothers, and sisters.

I am reminded of proverbs 10:12 Hatred provokes disputes, love covers over all offences. I am not going to lie, I have hated before, but I do not want hate to rule my life or the lives of anyone what I pray is for love to win, after all love triumphs over hatred and yes it did, a man gave his life for me and for you so that we may be given a light that shines bright during our darkness. I am not your enemy, I am not a monster, and I am not Barabbas, I am a woman and a mother who is trying her best to be obedient to love like brothers and sisters in sincerity, I want to let love, love for each one of us to be real and from the heart- our new lives in Christ did not come from a mortal seed but from the everlasting word of the living and eternal God.  I love you and I always will, I want you to be happy, you do not deserve to be unhappy, or miserable because all flesh is grass and its glory like the wildflower’s. The grass withers, the flower falls, but the word of the lord remains forever. What is this word? It is the Good News, that has been brought to you. My dear brothers and sisters this is love and let us not forget that 1 Peter 22-25.

Like Saint Mary Magdalene let your love grow and grow in a radical but beautiful way this may outrage some, but it does not matter love anyway. Let me finish by sharing from the book Saint Mary Magdalene Prophetess of Eucharistic Love by Fr. Sean Davidson Ignatius, “In one way the rose has ceased to live and will soon fade away, but it has been chosen to serve the noblest of all purposes. Blessed is the rose uprooted from the world with all of its vanities to become a bride of Christ. This is the kind of radical self-sacrificial love that the example of Mary Magdalene and the praise of Christ himself are still calling us too today.”

Prayer:

Saint Mary Magdalene, pray for us…

You, who carried the alabaster jar of perfume, pray for us.

You, who from dark clay became purest crystal, pray for us.

Diamond, passing from the dust to the light, pray for us.

Transformed into a vessel of glory, pray for us.

Sparkling pearl, pray for us.

Blazing Torch for the whole world, pray for us.

Apostle to the Apostles, pray for us.

Sweet Advocate of Penitents, pray for us.

Amen,

May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope.

Written, Photo and Created by My Mother Rose.

 

Day 4 of Novena to Saint Mary Magdalene-

 

Day 4 of Novena to Saint Mary Magdalene-

Divine Grace:

Psalm 18:14-15 From presumption restrain your servant and let it not rule me. Then shall I be blameless, clean from grave sin. May the spoken words of my mouth, the thoughts of my heart, win favor in your sight, O Lord, my rescuer, my rock!

Reflection:

As we all know divine grace is favor it is freely bestowed upon us and sanctifies in fact divine grace is God’s power and presence to forgive and it cost us nothing, but it cost God Jesus on the cross. Mary Magdalene once a captive in her own darkness a deep darkness within her suffered greatly, ask yourself has this ever happened all your sins flooding back against your will reminding you of all the wrong, all those choices you once made decisions that were not, right? This happened to Mary her guilt was so heavy; it made her sick until the day a man, a teacher who was much stronger stood in front of her and that man was Jesus.

Mary’s sincere repentance won our Lord’s heart, she is still today a light for us all and an example of sincere contrition, fearless and faithful love. We are all sinners called to live holy lives to become saints as Saint Padre Pio says, “if we have the courage to imitate Mary Magdalene in her sins, have the courage to imitate her penance! At times, I have been terrified to go to confession because some part of me believes God is harsh in his judgement but in recent times, I have come to understand he is a loving Father who is kind and full of compassion, slow to anger, abounding in love. How good is he to all, compassionate to all his children, to all his creatures? Psalm 144:8. These are the words Mary Magdalene held onto for her whole life this made her realize the presence of God a God of forgiveness and a God who gives second chances of life.

Prayer:

Saint Mary Magdalene, pray for us…

You, who carried the alabaster jar of perfume, pray for us.

You, who from dark clay became purest crystal, pray for us.

Diamond, passing from the dust to the light, pray for us.

Transformed into a vessel of glory, pray for us.

Sparkling pearl, pray for us.

Blazing Torch for the whole world, pray for us.

Apostle to the Apostles, pray for us.

Sweet Advocate of Penitents, pray for us.

Amen,

May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope. 

Written, photo and created by My Mother Rose.

Day 3 of Novena to Saint Mary Magdalene-

 

Day 3 of Novena to Saint Mary Magdalene-

A Saint waiting in Hope: 

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope bring you such joy and peace in your faith that the power of the Holy Spirit will remove all bounds to hope.

Reflection:

As St. Augustine suggests, we are to put our hope in Jesus Christ. Therefore, let us submit ourselves to Him and beg for His mercy. Mary Magdalene had a lot of hope in Jesus, she had an optimistic outlook when she saw darkness, she could also see the light. Is this a practice we can grow accustom too? Hope is a good thing, and “where there is hope, there is faith and where there is faith miracles happen.” When we choose to trust and wait without getting angry, upset, or demanding anything everything is possible for God.  Matthew 19:26 Jesus gazed at them. ‘For men,’ he told them ‘This is impossible; for God everything is possible.’ God is our hope in dark times, in our weakest moments and in our saddest times. Women of Faith and Hope it is when we submit ourselves wholly to Christ, we become one with him and we become stronger in love, knowledge, understanding, wisdom, counsel, fear of the Lord, piety and fortitude so I leave you with this message from Jesus, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?’ John 20:11- 18. Hope, trust have the confidence to recognize and see Jesus when he comes.

Prayer:

Saint Mary Magdalene, pray for us…

You, who carried the alabaster jar of perfume, pray for us.

You, who from dark clay became purest crystal, pray for us.

Diamond, passing from the dust to the light, pray for us.

Transformed into a vessel of glory, pray for us.

Sparkling pearl, pray for us.

Blazing Torch for the whole world, pray for us.

Apostle to the Apostles, pray for us.

Sweet Advocate of Penitents, pray for us.

Amen.

May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope

Written and created by My Mother Rose.

Day 2 of Novena to Saint Mary Magdalene-

 

Day 2 of Novena to Saint Mary Magdalene-

The contemplative Saint:

John 6:35 Jesus answered: ‘I am the bread of life… He who comes to me will never be hungry; he who believes in me will never thirst.’

Reflection:

I could not imagine my life without Jesus Christ once you have experienced or have encountered Jesus Christ in some supernatural joy or love there is no escaping or thinking you can turn your back and walk away at any time because if there is any type of separation I feel as though I am being pulled back towards him and at times it can be painful. Recently, I felt so angry and alone, my soul was thirsty for the presence of the Lord that I threw my bible because it felt as though God had abandoned me and was not helping me to understand the things people do and why do they do it? I was about to give up and throw all the books I had brought away because I just could not go on anymore especially when I try so hard to fit in, belong, to connect with other people but it didn’t take long for God to send answers and to reassure me of the love he is trying to give me, and I am reminded of the verse in Songs of Songs 8:4, I charge you, daughter of Jerusalem, not to stir my love, not rouse it, until it please to awake but as time went on for Mary Magdalene and her relationship with Jesus there was a time where a love was awoken and was brought to the surface and made visible to many. Let us remember what contemplation means we are either looking or considering or thinking about something and this is what Mary did, she felt the pain of separation, she pined for her love, her love for Jesus and his love for her. It is not easy being far away from a person you are supposed to love, it is not fun or fair to love them from a far or in silence and this makes me think of my Nan and Granddad and the letters he wrote to her while he was away working and it’s funny how love has a way of surprising us sometimes  as Jesus did appearing in a vision at the front door of her sister’s house. Luke 10: 42 and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her.

Prayer:

Saint Mary Magdalene, pray for us…

You, who carried the alabaster jar of perfume, pray for us.

You, who from dark clay became purest crystal, pray for us.

Diamond, passing from the dust to the light, pray for us.

Transformed into a vessel of glory, pray for us.

Sparkling pearl, pray for us.

Blazing Torch for the whole world, pray for us.

Apostle to the Apostles, pray for us.

Sweet Advocate of Penitents, pray for us.

AMEN.

May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope.

Written and created by My Mother Rose.

Women of Faith and Hope's Novena to Saint Mary Magdalene

 

Galatians 5:13 My brothers and sisters, you were called, as you know, to liberty; but be careful, or this liberty will provide an opening for self-indulgence. Serve one another, rather in works of love.

There is somewhat of a question mark that seems to surround Mary Magdalene but, in her silence, she waits with hope of the resurrection hope for whom her heart loves she seeks him throughout the city, in the streets and the squares, she seeks but does not find him the one whom she loves with all her heart. Welcome to our informal Novena to Mary Magdalene, I wanted to share something before we begin, I remember the first time I saw the one whom I love with all my heart it was at mass in the Giramee building at St. Augustine’s College, there was something different and you caught me starring and smiled at me this made me feel like I had to hide back inside my shell I know when you are around there is something tugging or pulling at my heart I can’t really explain it but it feels as though it some sort of force needing me to engage and communicate or just to stare and contemplate the amazing and beautiful love God has for both of us.  I was reading Saint Mary Magdalene Prophetess of Eucharistic Love by Fr. Sean Davidson Ignatius and it explained that her love, her actions all came from God furthermore it goes on to explain how Mary expressed her love by anointing, kissing, and wiping her tears onto the feet of Jesus Christ our savior and it is quite tempting to reenact a love that is so beautiful, tender, and real. For nine days we will walk and pray alongside Mary Magdalene I have found some beautiful quotes and verses also I found some pictures of my trip to Paris from eleven years ago so I will share those in my reflections with you all. May God Bless you always, Women of Faith and Hope.

May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope.

Written and created by My Mother Rose.

Day 1 of Novena to Saint Mary Magdalene-

 

Day 1 of Novena to Saint Mary Magdalene-

The repentant sinner:

 Luke 7:47-50 For this reason I tell you that her sins, her many sins, must have been forgiven her, or she would not have shown such great love. It is the man who forgives little who shows little love. Then he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ Those who were with him at table began to say to themselves, ‘who is this man, that he even forgives sins?’ But he said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’

Reflection: 

When I think of Mary Magdalene washing the feet of Jesus, I think of the intimate relationship she seeks with God and her genuine humility, empathy, and care for others in service to God. I thought to myself what is the symbolic meaning of washing feet? Washing feet is not just about performing a ritual it is about helping others, helping a person move or driving a person to church or to a connect group, it is helping a person through those moments of darkness and despair. These examples are the meaning of washing feet it is caring for people, cleansing a sinful world and in everything we do we are to imitate our Lord Jesus Christ as he himself as instructed us to do; John 13:15 I have given you an example so that you may copy what I have done to you.

Prayer:

Saint Mary Magdalene, pray for us…

You, who carried the alabaster jar of perfume, pray for us.

You, who from dark clay became purest crystal, pray for us.

Diamond, passing from the dust to the light, pray for us.

Transformed into a vessel of glory, pray for us.

Sparkling pearl, pray for us.

Blazing Torch for the whole world, pray for us.

Apostle to the Apostles, pray for us.

Sweet Advocate of Penitents, pray for us.

May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope.

Written and created by My Mother Rose.

Tiny Little Mustard Seed.

 

Well, here we are, and this is the time of year we see how far we have traveled on our journey of faith and hope also we take the time to look at how much we have grown as a group and as individuals. This weeks’ Gospel reminds me of the song by Paul Kelly, ‘From Little Things, Big Things Grow.’ This weekend we have the opportunity and chance to plant new seeds of faith which begins as a tiny little mustard seed and each step of the way we grow a little bit more in knowing Jesus, loving Jesus, and following Jesus. Women of Faith and Hope, we need to keep up the good fight and keep running that race, run hard after Jesus and remember no matter how tiny our faith is we have the capability and momentum to move mountains read the word of God, put the word of God into action, surround yourself with people who are like minded or share in the same mysteries and faith, read great books about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, Mary our Mother of God, Angels and the Saints and trust God in all your pain.

I cannot stress this enough; at some point of our lives, we have judged, and we have been judged but to me those who judge do not have the time to love as Mother Teresa puts it. I was reminded of the many gifts and the love God has for all his Children on Monday night and I might not be able to do great things, but I can do small things with great love. I have never ever measured the love I give; I just give and give however there will come a day when we all must stand in the law court of Christ, and we will get what we deserve so I say to you all Women of Faith and Hope this is an opportunity for all of us to grow in unity, peace, and love.  This is what we are trying to teach our children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews or the next generation to love each other, to tolerate and be accepting of one another, that means accepting any differences and being respectful, honestly though ignorance is not being respectful, loving or kind it is being mean, hurtful and it is an act of hatred and sin.

One last note, when we plant our tiny little mustard seed, let us plant love, kindness, compassion, and mercy.

Job14-7:9 there is always hope for a tree: when felled, it can start its life again, its shoots continue to sprout. Its roots may be decayed in the earth, its stump withering in the soil, but let it scent the water, and it buds, and puts out branches like a plant new set.

May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope.

Written and created by My Mother Rose.