Noli me tangere is the well-known Latin translation of Jesus’ words in this moment, a moment that’s been expressed in art countless times. It’s also a moment that’s often misunderstood. Why is Jesus brushing off Mary Magdalene, his faithful friend, a woman who, in gratitude for the spiritual healing he’d given her, had given her life to him?
Well, he’s not brushing her off. He’s focusing her. He’s inviting her to look at him not simply for how she experienced him in the past—the “teacher” as she calls him then—but as someone even greater: Lord. It’s a challenge to us too. Do we see Jesus as a teacher, wise and helpful, or have we given our lives to him completely and then followed in Mary Magdalene’s footsteps to announce, “I have seen the Lord,” (verse 18) to those on the way?
Help me to know Jesus deeply I ask this in Jesus Holy Name Amen Amen Amen
Thank you for the great reflection this morning, Amy. I pray that someday I’ll be able to have a focused conversation with Our Lord. Is it that my mind wanders too often? Lord Jesus please help me focus on your life and how You preached the Gospel of Love and Compassion for all. Great news about Terry, Ken. What a trooper she is, I applaud her.
I know that it's late but just got home. Joann I will pray for you and Bridget, Gloria and Carol and husband Jim, Kristi and her brother right now. Living faith family I visited Terry this morning and she's in fine spirits, she talked for over an hour and a half. Rehab place was the same as I went to in 2008 ( when I first started the living faith family). I am going to try to bring the Eucharist this week after Mass. She said thanks for all your prayers. Ken
Dear LFF, My dear friend Carol, who struggles with some health issues, now had an added burden to carry as her husband, Jim m, is in the hospital again, Pneumonia and congestive heart . Please keep us in your prayers ????????????
Gloria, have lifted Carol, her husband, Jim and you as well, up to the Lord. May he wrap his arms around you all and give you strength and peace. Love, Rita
Amy thank you for your reflection! I’ve read it several times. I love that Jesus is redirecting us and telling us to focus something else. We are not focused on the right thing. His simple, yet firm command tells us to stop doing something and do something else. I see this as we are looking but not seeing, hearing but not listening. Change is hard. He is moving us to see past ourselves - revealing to us something new and helping us to move forward in that new life. What a gift. Prayers today to lift Gayle’s friend after her difficult diagnosis. Also lifting Kristi and her family since she lost a brother to a fast and aggressive battle with cancer. Praying for Terry’s fast recovery and also a good diagnosis for Anne D. Lastly, praying for the continued strength and resilience for Bill L, his wife and daughter. May they continue making progress on their journey and feel God’s presence along the way.
Thank yo so much for your kind words!
Amy thank you for your words. Focusing can sometimes be harder than we think it is. Prayers to all the LFF. For those with special needs and those that just need to make it through their days. May God bless this world and be here to guide us each and everyday.
Continued prayers for the Ukraine and the Sudan. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Ukraine and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in Ukraine and Sudan and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace – we who are working towards it and for all who are in danger from this conflict. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen
Good morning LFF Prayers for Bridget Haase, OSU one of the contributors for LF I heard yesterday on Relevant Radio that she is in a coma and near death.
I too pray to Our Lord to bring peace to countries in turmoil, families in turmoil, communities in turmoil, and foremost to individuals who are in a crisis with himself or with others. Thank you for all the posts.
Praying for Sister Bridgett at this sad moment. Thanking her for all the uplifting reflections over the years. Love and peace to her family as they comfort her. Dear Jesus, please place your loving arms around her and let her feel your Love and grace.
Prayers for Bridget.
Correction to post. Did not proof read. Should have been Sister Bridget Haase
Prayers for Bridget and her family.
Prayers for Bridget!!!
Thank you Joanne for letting us know. Yes, I think we just read a reflection from her within the last few weeks. May Bridget feel God’s grace and know His presence at this time. We are lifting her and her family from afar.
Amy thank you for your contributions and reflections over the years. Living faith family. Terry has come out of surgery and I plan on seeing her tomorrow morning. Thanks for all of you who have prayed for her. Came across this from what is on plaque on the statue of liberty, will share. With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. "Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" 1883. Love your neighbor Ken
Good news about Terry and more prayers for her healing. Thanks for sharing those words from the Statue of Liberty. Words to reflect on
Ken, thank you so much for posting this. I have always loved its purity, generosity and heart. We continue to keep Terry’s recovery tucked in our prayers. Onward to rehab for her! Have a great weekend.
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Posted: 7.24. 2013: The Living Faith team is very grateful for the outpouring of concern in our comments on behalf of Sr. Bridget Haase, OSU. We have been in touch with the Ursuline Sisters’ community, and would like to let you that while Sister did recently have a fall for which she was hospitalized, she is recovering well. Thank you and please keep Sister Bridget’s recovery in your prayers.