Day 4 - Day 6

 

Icon of Mary Magdalene

 

Day 4: Seeing and believing
 
Reading
Peter saw the cloth that had been on Jesus' head (was) not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed.

Wondering
Why does John point out the detail about the cloth that had covered Jesus' face? How does seeing the grave clothes as they are lead him to believe - and what is he believing in at this moment - he has not yet seen the Lord?

Contemplating
Spend a few minutes reading and reflecting on the Scripture passage. What springs to mind as you ponder the words and phrases? How might these ideas feed into your own life and, perhaps, the life of your community? Jot down any thoughts in your spiritual journal. Are any threads beginning to emerge?

or...

Spend a few minutes building the scene. How might a film director film the scene? What would they focus on? What kind of atmosphere would they be trying to create? How do the participants in this drama feel at this point?

Reflecting
We cannot always say what leads us to believe... quite often it is a glimpse - a moment when we recognise that there is something beyond what we can see and touch. It is this faith that sustains us through the any changes that happen in our lives. 
Pray for a strengthening of faith for those who feel on the fringes or marginalised.


Praying
Mary of Magdala,
woman of faith,
pray for those whose belief is tested -
who feel that they are not good enough -
who feel they do not belong.
Guide us all through your story 
to the hope of resurrection.

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory be...

 

Day 5: Faith leading to understanding
 

 

Reading
As yet they did not understand the scripture that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes.

Wondering
What was the mood of the disciples as they turned back to go home? What were their expectations about what might happen next?

Contemplating
A very short piece but continue to read it through a few times, allowing the words to sink deep within you. Are there words or insights from the passage than seem important as we pass the halfway point in our Novena?

or...

Spend a few minutes building the scene in whatever way you find most helpful. How do the disciples take their leave of Mary? What is the "feel" of the scene at this point?

Reflecting
Faith often comes before understanding. We believe - but may have to reflect - read - contemplate - experience something differently before we move to understanding. Reflecting and learning how to make our faith yet more alive and active is for some people exciting - for others it is a challenge. 
Pray for people who are excited - and those who are challenged.


Praying
Mary of Magdala,
you did not understand but you believed.
Pray for as we seek to understand more fully
what God wills for us.
Pray for those for whom this is an exciting time
and for those for whom it is difficult and challenging. 
Guide us all through your story 
to the hope of resurrection.

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory be...

 

 

Day 6: Staying in the dark places...
 
Reading
But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet.

Wondering
What is Mary's state of mind now? What might her reaction have been to seeing the two angels?


Contemplating
As you ponder the reading, which words or phrases seem to be especially significant to you. What might God be saying to you - perhaps, for your own life? If you are using a spiritual journal, add any thoughts or insights - and perhaps look back to see if there are any links that are beginning to form.

or...

Spend a few minutes building the scene using whatever technique has helped you over recent days. Try to put yourself in Mary's shoes as the scene begins to move to its fulfilment.

Reflecting
Mary is struggling to come to terms with what is happening... but still she stays in the place where things don't yet make sense. This is a feeling we can identify with ... sometimes we do need to walk away from something but on other occasions we realise we have to stay in a spiritual place until God deems it the right time to offer us the revelation that allows us to move on. 
Pray for those who find themselves "stuck" - whose faith feels empty and whose prayer seems dry.

 


Praying
Mary of Magdala,
you still did not know what was to come -
but your love for the Lord held you by his tomb.
Pray for those who are in dark places -
who feel without hope 
and for whom life feels burdensome.
Guide us all through your story 
to the hope of resurrection.

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory be...