perseverance
"I will rise then and go about the city; in the streets and crossings I will seek Him Whom my heart loves." —Song of Songs 3:2
When we think of Mary Magdalene, we recall her intense love for Jesus. She received this love from the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22; Rm 5:5). She received the Holy Spirit in such a powerful way because of her perseverance. Just as Elisha received a double portion of Elijah's spirit by persevering in sticking with him (2 Kgs 2:1ff), so Mary Magdalene received the Spirit's gift of love through her perseverance.
When almost all Jesus' disciples had abandoned Him, Mary Magdalene persevered at the foot of the cross (Jn 19:25). When everyone else had left Jesus' tomb, Mary Magdalene persevered and was the first to meet the risen Christ (Jn 20:10-11). Moreover, when she recognized the risen Jesus, she clung to Him (Jn 20:17). Only Jesus' words could break Mary Magdalene's stick-to-it-iveness.
In obedience to her Lord, Mary Magdalene put her hand to the plow and did not look back (Lk 9:62). Jesus promised: "Whoever holds out to the end will escape death" (Mt 10:22). Paul proclaimed: "I put no value on my life if only I can finish my race and complete the service to which I have been assigned by the Lord Jesus" (Acts 20:24). "Watch yourself and watch your teaching. Persevere at both tasks. By doing so you will bring to salvation yourself and all who hear you" (1 Tm 4:16).
Prayer: Father, may I never leave You.
Promise: "The love of Christ impels us who have reached the conviction that since One died for all, all died." —2 Cor 5:14
Praise: St. Mary Magdalene sought Jesus and only Jesus, and was the first recorded person to meet the risen Jesus.
Reference: (For a related teaching on Riding Out the Storm, listen to, or download at presentationministries.com our CD 69-1 or DVD 69-CH. 1 or order our tape on audio AV 69-1 or video V 69.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 20, 2016
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