we need to tremble

St Cyril of Alexandria tells us today about the great faith and love of Mary Magdalene in A Year with the Church Fathers.

He says that Mary rushed to the tomb to take care of His body, and still called Him Lord even when she thought He was dead and gone forever. She stuck by the One who had forgiven her sins, even when it didn't appear that she had anything more to gain from that faithfulness.

How her heart must have trembled when she found the empty tomb. How it must have broken in thinking that someone had stolen His body. And with what wonder and delight it must have flooded when she, first among all people, discovered the truth. The truth that defeats death for all of us and makes eternal life possible.

This is why it's so important for us to realize our sinfulness. To find ourselves in the same sandals as Mary, who desperately needed His forgiveness. Because when we realize how deep our need is for that same forgiveness, only then can we rejoice with her at the redemption that flows freely from His sacrifice. Our hearts need to tremble at the open tomb, and this Lenten season is a good time for us to tremble.

Because Easter is coming.

God, thank You for the love you lavished on Mary Magdalene. And thank You for forgiving me of my many sins, so I can look forward to the joy of Your resurrection.