Gospel: July 22, 2026

July 22, 2026 (Wednesday)

Feast of St. Mary Magdalene

Psalter: Proper (White)

Ps 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5-6ab, 15 & 17

I will sing of your salvation.

1st Reading: Song of Songs 3: 1-4b (or 2 Corinthians 5:14-17)

On my bed at night

I looked for the one I love,

I sought him without finding him; I called him and he did not answer. I will rise and go about the city,

through the streets and the squares; I will seek the love of my heart…

I sought him without finding him; the watchmen came upon me, those who patrol the city.

“Have you seen the love of my heart?” As soon as I left them,

I found the love of my heart.

Gospel: John 20:1-2, 11-18

Now, on the first day after the Sabbath, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning while it was still dark, and she saw that the stone blocking the tomb had been moved away. She ran to Peter, and the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and she said to them,“They have taken the Lord out of the tomb and we don’t know where they have laid him.”

Mary stood weeping outside the tomb; and as she wept, she bent down to look inside. She saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head, and the other at the feet. They said, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She answered, “Because they have taken my Lord and I don’t know where they have put him.”

As she said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not recognize him. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and answered him, “Sir, if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned, and said to him, “Rabboni!” which means Master. Jesus said to her, “Do not touch me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them: I am ascending to my Father, who is your Father, to my God, who is your God.”

So Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord, and this is what he said to me.”

Reflection:

Everything starts and ends with God’s goodness.

When Pope Francis elevated the memorial of St. Mary Magdalene to a feast, it symbolized an enduring perspective of the Church: the significant role of women in the work of salvation. Pope Francis highlighted that Mary Magdalene understood the resurrection and became an “apostle to the Apostles” by sharing the good news of Jesus’ resurrection with her fellow believers.

Mary serves as an example for us as well. Our histories and personal stories may seem fragile, but they are all part of God’s greater narrative. We have a place in the ongoing story of salvation God has begun in our lives. Ultimately, everything starts and ends with God’s goodness.

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