St. Mary Magdalene Novena: Day 1

The darkest hour just before dawn....

 Reading
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him."

Wondering
What drew Mary back to the tomb? What went through her mind as she looked into the tomb? What was going through it as she ran back to Simon Peter and the disciple Jesus loved - probably John who recorded this account of the resurrection?

Contemplating
You might like to spend a few minutes reading the Scripture passage and see if any words or phrases seem to be especially significant. How might God be speaking to you? You might like to jot down any thoughts in a spiritual journal.
or...
Spend a few minutes building the scene. It can be helpful to put yourself in the shoes of a film director working to recapture the atmosphere of the scene. You could even sketch out the scene. What would the scenery be like? Where do the main characters appear from? How are they behaving? Are there any "extras" - and where are they - what are they doing? Then, try to put yourself into one of the characters to see how it might have seemed to them... how might they have been feeling?
Reflecting
Of all outcomes, this was the least expected - how could the empty tomb be explained? This was beyond their experience.

How might some of the feelings of those in the Gospel be echoed in your own experience?

Pray for those for whom this time is a period of confusion and fear.

Prayer
Mary of Magdala,
woman at the tomb.
You did not yet know what awaited you
but felt confusion - doubt and loss.
Pray for those whose feelings you so well understand.
Guide us through your story
to the hope of resurrection.

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