Monsignor Enrique Díaz Díaz shares with Exaudi readers his reflection on the  Gospel of Wednesday, July 22, 2026   entitled:  “Mary Magdalene, first witness of the Lord’s resurrection”  .

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2 Corinthians 5:14-17:  “We no longer judge Christ by human standards”

Psalm 62:  “Lord, my soul thirsts for you”

John 20:1-2, 11-18:  “Woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?”

Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Mary Magdalene. I once asked a group of people who Magdalene was. Most of those present answered that she was a sinner who had converted out of love for Jesus, but they emphasized the sense of being a sinner. And everything seems to indicate that this was the case, but it strikes me that we focus more on the fact that she was a sinner and not on the fact that she became the first witness of the Lord’s resurrection. Her sinful past has remained etched in our minds far more than the courageous and resolute testimony she gives of the risen Christ. How easy it is to overlook the mistakes of others! How difficult it is to acknowledge their successes! And in the case of a woman, this attitude is often even more noticeable. This is the complete opposite of Jesus’ way of acting, who quickly forgets mistakes, offers the possibility of conversion, and trusts the person for a new mission. Mary Magdalene’s courage and resolve after the events of the Lord’s crucifixion and death are truly admirable. While the apostles struggle to overcome their sadness and grief, and some even decide to abandon everything, Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb and continues searching for Jesus. And as everyone who seeks finds, she has the privilege of encountering the Risen Lord face to face and receiving the mission to bring a message of hope and consolation to the disciples. It has not been an easy path. First, she accepted the invitation to conversion, and then she had to journey to discover the face of Jesus. According to the narrative, because of her sadness and grief, she is unable to perceive whom she is asking about the Lord. Later, she mistakes the gardener and cannot see the face of the Risen Lord in his face. Important lessons for those of us who seek the Lord: to turn away from our sin, sustained more by the mercy of the Shepherd than by our own strength; to make conversion an experience of encounter; to persevere in the search for the Lord and become witnesses of his resurrection by discovering his face in each of our brothers and sisters.