Dear Friends,

With the ongoing situation in the Holy Land and violence spreading throughout the Middle East, times seem precarious. Or perhaps it feels so removed and distant from daily life. I have asked myself: How does the Lord invite me to respond, so as to neither live in the anxiety of a situation out of my control, nor in ignorance and indifference of evil and suffering? How can I live immersed in the reality of his redemptive and providential plan?

I contemplate Mary Magdalene on Holy Saturday, after the tragedy of her Rabboni’s cruel demise. She stands in the waiting between the horror of her beloved’s death, in which her foundation was ripped out from under her, and unknown possibilities. In the midst of darkness and confusion, what does she hold onto? Perhaps she looks to her friends and family in the faith for a glimmer of hope. Perhaps she returns in memory to her many encounters with Jesus and the ways he formed her heart and encouraged her to walk in faith, hope and love.

In times such as these, I believe we are called to reflect on our “Kingdom realm.” What is within our possibilities to build up others’ faith and hope that encourage a deeper trust and solidarity? The Lord’s redemption is not merely for times of comfort, security, and peace. His redemption enters into the depths of human misery and disorder. Like his encounter with Mary Magdalene. Her situation may have seemed impossible to overcome, but Jesus offered her hope and a way forward, if she would keep her eyes on him and accept his mercy. She not only became the “woman from whom seven demons were expelled” (Lk 8:2), but was privileged to be the first witness of the Good News and the Apostle to the Apostles.

May her story continue to teach us to hold onto hope and the power of Jesus’ redemptive grace so present in the midst of even the greatest of chaos.

Yours in Christ,

Jennifer Ristine

New Book: Becoming Magdalene (Historical Fiction)