Turning Towards the Light

She turned around and saw Jesus there. // John 20:14

Several years ago, I made a month-long pilgrimage to the Holy Land and visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre every day while I was in Jerusalem. It is a massive building with over twenty chapels, including the site of the crucifixion on Calvary and the empty tomb. As I wandered through the countless nooks and crannies day after day, I remembered the holy women who courageously accompanied Jesus through His Passion and Death. Near the empty tomb, the Franciscans have a chapel and altar dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene in the place where Jesus appeared to her on Easter morning.

Saint John gives us a detailed account of Saint Mary Magdalene's devotion, eagerness, confusion, and joy as she encountered our Risen Lord in the garden. Mary Magdalene turned towards Jesus. In Latin, the phrase is conserva est—which reminds us of her conversion. This Saint whom we honor today throughout her life turned away from darkness towards the light.

During my pilgrimage, I prayed several Holy Hours near the Chapel of Saint Mary Magdalene. On my last day in Jerusalem, I prayed with today's Gospel account of Easter morning (see John 20:1-2, 11-18). As I turned towards Jesus in prayer, the Holy Spirit gently helped me to see some areas in my heart that were still in need of conversion. He carefully shone His light into the places I wanted to ignore. I noticed a deep desire to bring these things to Jesus in the Sacrament of Confession. I mustered up some courage, tracked down a Franciscan priest who lived at the adjacent monastery, and asked him if he spoke English and could hear my Confession. This priest was incredibly generous to me—he heard my Confession and then we talked for almost an hour. I encountered the Father's love in the most tender way in that humble confessional by the Chapel of Saint Mary Magdalene. 

In honor of her feast day, let's open our hearts to the grace of deeper conversion. Consider seeking out the Sacrament of Confession today. Turn away from the darkness towards the radiant light of our Risen Christ.