Reflection by Sem. Adrian Shane Rivera
On the Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene, Mary’s grief outside the empty tomb vanishes the moment Jesus calls her name, and her immediate reaction is to reach out and hold on to him. But Jesus stops her, saying, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father.” He isn’t pushing her away or rejecting her love; he’s simply helping her realize that things have changed. Mary just wanted her old teacher back exactly the way he used to be, but Jesus was inviting her to see him in a brand-new, resurrected way.
Naalala ko tuloy ang huli naming seminary retreat noong nakaraang formation year kasama si Sr. Janice, PDDM. Aniya, kailangan din nating bumitaw sa mga bagay na ating nakasanayan—sa mga bagay na nagbibigay sa atin ng komportableng buhay kapalit ng paglayo natin sa Diyos. Kailangan nating kumawala upang tayo ay lumago bilang mga Kristiyano.
By telling her to let go, Jesus moves Mary from clinging to the past to stepping into the future, immediately sending her off to share the Good News with the rest of the disciples. It’s a powerful lesson for us, too—sometimes we get so caught up holding on to old comforts, past seasons, or how we think God should work that we completely miss what he’s doing right now. Letting go allows us to move forward, grow in our faith, and share that joy with others.
Amen.
By Jan Ernest PÃ ting
A second-year AB Philosophy student and aspirant of the Society of Saint Paul. He is currently discerning his vocation to the religious life inspired by the footsteps of the great apostle Paul.