Transfigured by Love

Jesus wants evengelisers who proclaim the good news not only with words, but above all by a life transfigured by God's presence... I came across these words from Pope Francis' Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel) this morning, while looking for something else in a parish newsletter. It felt right that I saw them today. Although not written about today's saint, they could well have been about Mary Magdalene, the Apostle to the Apostles. If anyone's life has been utterly transfigured by Love, it had to be this strong woman of courage and deep, unwavering, generous love, privileged to be the first to witness and proclaim the most joyous good news of all! 

An hour or so later, this painting of Mary Magdalene by the artist Stephen B Whatley (who has given me permission to use it), appeared in my social media feeds. My first thought was that she had been given a double - or even a triple - halo. But then... could it be...? That shadow behind her... Is it Jesus? Jesus, from whom Mary Magdalene couldn't bear to be separated; who she had followed in joyful times, and all the way to his final, agonising breath... Jesus remaining with her, as she had remained with him, continuously transfiguring and filling her with the radiance and glory and holiness of his eternal presence... 

Is Mary Magdalene proclaiming the Risen Christ not only with her words, but with a life transfigured and made radiant by Love? And can this be our privilege, our transformation and our graced delight, too?

Let us ask her to inspire us, that we too may radiate the Joy of the Gospel and of the living Christ to everyone we meet.