- 22 July, 2025
July 22, 2025:
If you’ve ever felt like your past, your mistakes, or what others think of you makes it hard to hope, then Mary Magdalene’s story is for you. She didn’t have it all together when she met Jesus—she was hurting, searching, and unsure of her place. But that encounter changed everything. From someone overlooked and judged, she became the first to carry the news that Jesus is alive. In this Jubilee Year of Hope, her journey reminds us that no matter where we’ve been, God still sees us, calls us, and has more in store. As we celebrate her feast on July 22, let us look at how her story is still relevant today.
1. Your Past Doesn’t Cancel Your Future
Mary Magdalene was once known for her brokenness. The Gospels tell us that Jesus cast seven demons out of her. Yet He did not define her by her past. Instead, He called her by name and entrusted her with a mission. No matter what you have gone through—mistakes, addictions, shame, or failure—God can write a new beginning in your life. Even if others remember your worst moments, God sees your true worth. He does not hold your history against you. He uses it to shape your calling.
2. Hope Rises Even When You Feel Empty
Mary came to the tomb expecting to find death and loss. Instead, she found the Risen Lord. In our darkest moments—whether it is heartbreak, anxiety, loss, or loneliness—hope may be closer than we realise. God often meets us in the silence, the confusion, and even the grief. When life feels like it has stopped making sense, that is often when Christ comes in quietly, calling us by name. The tomb was not the end of her story. It is not the end of yours either.
3. God Chooses the Unexpected
Jesus could have chosen Peter or John to be the first to witness His Resurrection. But He appeared first to Mary Magdalene. She was not powerful, famous, or even believed at first. This reminds us that you do not need a perfect life or a perfect past to be chosen by God. He looks beyond qualifications and sees the heart. Even if the world overlooks you, God does not. If He chose Mary, He can choose you too, right where you are.
4. Your Healing Can Lead to Others' Healing
Mary did not keep her healing to herself. She went and told the disciples what she had seen and heard. Likewise, your own story can become a path of healing for someone else. The struggles you have faced, the wounds you carry, and the battles you have overcome are not wasted. Your honesty can open the door for others to find courage. What you have endured might be exactly what someone else is facing today. Speak up. Your story matters.
5. You Are Seen. You Are Called. You Are Sent.
Many young people today feel invisible, unsure if their life has meaning. Mary Magdalene’s life tells us otherwise. She was seen by Jesus, called by name, and sent on a mission. The same is true for you. God notices your tears, your dreams, and your desire to do something meaningful. He calls you not to stay in fear but to go and tell the world that He is alive. You are not just part of the crowd. You are part of the mission.
As we walk through this Jubilee Year of Hope, may Mary Magdalene inspire us to believe again. Her life proves that no one is too far gone, too broken, or too lost to be used by God. Her encounter with Christ brought her back to life—and through her, many others have found their way.
A Prayer to St. Mary Magdalene
St. Mary Magdalene,
You remind us that our past does not define our future.
You stood at the tomb and found hope in the emptiness.
You were chosen by Jesus not because you were perfect,
But because you were willing to follow Him.
Help us to believe that our story still matters,
That our wounds can bring healing to others,
And that we too are seen, called, and sent.
Pray for us in this Jubilee Year of Hope,
That we may rise with courage and live with purpose.
Amen.
By Catholic Connect Reporter
Image credit: CNA
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