When I received and accepted my official notification from the Vatican stating Pope Francis had appointed me to the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, my response was a long, deep breath followed by,

Why me? Why now? Am I worthy to do this sacred work?

I remember during the plane ride to Rome praying for courage not be consumed by the fear of the unknown.

How would priests, bishops, and cardinals from all over the world engage with me, a lay woman? Would my words, my views, my sacred experiences be received, believed, and valued? How would I embody my love for God and my love for justice in a bold and fearless way that embodies God’s love?

I wondered if the early women disciples had these concerns on their journey with Jesus.

In the days leading up to Easter, we are introduced to the Paschal Mystery events of Jesus’ suffering, death, burial, and the empty tomb.

And during it all was the steadfast presence of Mary Magdalene who left her home to follow Jesus; fully participating in his ministry of love and mission to heal the world.

Her unconditional love for him and his unconditional love for her propelled her to remain at the foot of his cross to be a witness to his painful death only after he had asked for forgiveness for those who killed him.

She bathed his body, anointed him with oil and left the tomb filled with sorrow.

In the beginning of John’s Gospel, she returns to the tomb to find it empty.

Frantic to know where Jesus was taken, she runs to tell Peter and the other disciples he is gone.

They return to the empty tomb, find Jesus’ burial cloths, and believed.

Yet, there is more to be revealed.

John’s Gospel further tells us Mary Magdalene remains alone, outside the tomb weeping, when she sees two angels at Jesus’ feet.

He calls her by name and commissions her to “go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’"

Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and what he told her.

Mary Magdalene’s proclamation of Jesus’ resurrection is Good News that needed to be shared then and it needs to be shared today – Jesus Is Alive! Rejoice and Be Glad!

In his 2020 book, Let us Dream: The Path to a Better Future, Pope Francis said:

The Lord first announced the New Life to women because they were present, attentive, open to new possibilities. Could it be that in this crisis the perspective women bring is what the world needs at this time to face the coming challenges? Could the Spirit be prompting us to recognize, value and integrate the fresh thinking that some women are bringing to this moment?

It is also important to note The Second Session of the Sixteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops’ approved final document focus on the leadership of women. It states:

“By virtue of Baptism, women and men have equal dignity as members of the People of God. However, women continue to encounter obstacles in obtaining a fuller recognition of their charisms, vocation, and place in all the various areas of the Church’s life. This is to the detriment of serving the Church’s shared mission. Scripture attests to the prominent role of many women in the history of salvation. One woman, Mary Magdalene, was entrusted with the first proclamation of the Resurrection…It is important that the Scripture passages that relate these stories find adequate space inside liturgical lectionaries. Crucial turning points in Church history confirm the essential contribution of women moved by the Spirit…” (Paragraph 60)

Mary Magdalene was one of the first women prophetic disciples of Jesus’ inclusive ministry of love and mission for the healing of the world. Their voices and stories need to be shared in the liturgical lectionaries in their proper context.

Mary’s complete story, shared on Easter Sunday, a holy day of obligation, would ensure more Catholics hear John’s full resurrection narrative where she was an example of female leadership, an Apostle to the Apostles, commissioned by Jesus to share the Good News of Jesus’ resurrection.

Mary Magdalene was a bold, fearless, loving presence as she cared for Jesus before, during and after his death and resurrection.

Let us embrace her prophetic voice and faith filled discipleship by sharing with everyone the Good News of Her Life.