Jesus met Mary of Magdala twice. The first time was before his death in the house of Simon the Pharisee. Jesus was eating with his disciples when Mary of Magdala entered the house.  Mary threw herself at Jesus’ feet, wept, wiped his feet with her hair and then poured a bottle of rare and very expensive perfume on them. Jesus reacted by saying, “Mary, your faith has saved you, go in peace.” She receive the healing of Jesus, change her life completely and became a disciple of Jesus.

The second time Jesus met Mary of Magdala was after his death. On the day Jesus rose from the dead, Mary went to the tomb very early in the morning to embalm the body of Christ according to Jewish custom. However, when she reached the tomb the stone that closed the tomb was removed and the tomb was empty. Mary began to weep and worry, thinking that the body of Christ was stolen or taken away. When Jesus saw that Mary was in anguish and fear he said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?” Mary replied, without recognizing him, “I weep, because they have taken away my Lord and I do not know where they have put him. If you have taken him, tell me where you have laid him and I will take him away.” She then recognized that it was Jesus speaking to her. Jesus consoled Mary by saying, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascending to my Father. Go to my brothers and tell them that I have risen and I will ascend to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”  Mary Magdalene went to the disciples, told them that she had seen the Lord and that he had told her these things.

These stories emphasize the importance of encountering Jesus in our life. Have you ever met Jesus in your heart? When we meet Jesus everything changes in our lives. Mary Magdalene is a good example. After her encounter, her life completely changed and she became a disciple of Jesus. When Thomas met Jesus, he renounced his doubt and knelt before Jesus, saying, “Thou art my Lord and my God.”  When Paul met Jesus he ceased to be the persecutor of the Church and began serving the Lord with devotion. Finally, when John and Peter were at Lake of Galilee, they fished all night without catching any fish. Following their encounter with Jesus, their lives changed, they caught many fish and their suffering ended.

If you are convinced that you have already met Jesus in your heart, be assured that you are happy and blessed. If not, this message is a challenge for you.