Remembering Saint Mary Magdalene
Today’s Bible Verses:
John 20:15-16 ESV
Jesus said to (Mary Magdalene) “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
Today, on our church calendar, we remember Saint Mary Magdalene, one of the women who traveled with and supported Jesus’ earthly ministry. This is a day we recall that Jesus’ ministry wasn’t just with the 12 Apostles. They couldn’t do everything needed to support their work. There were others, like Mary, who provided support to their work. At its core, the importance of Jesus’ ministry is to spread the Gospel. As it is written in Mark 16:15, “And Jesus said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.’” None of us could do it alone. We need help. For Jesus and His disciples, Mary provided that support. And don’t get angry thinking that because she cooked and cleaned, what she did and other women wasn’t important support. Mary is a good example not just for women who were important in telling the Gospel in Jesus’ time but also for today. Women play essential roles in leading ministries in our churches. They work in the harvest field, telling the Gospel story to others in words and actions. Let us give thanks to God today for Saint Mary Magdalene and for all women who support the Gospel and lead its efforts.
PRAYERS
Keep in Your Prayers:
Those who travel today that they are safe.
All people dealing with cancer
Those who reject Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
A Prayer for Today:
Lord God, I pray today for the women of our church who support the ministry of supporting the spread of the Gospel of Your Son. Uphold them, strengthen them, and give them courage in all their blessed work. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
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