Daily Gospel Reflection for July 22, 2026

Reflect on Jesus's personal call to each of us through the story of Mary Magdalene, discovering His love and presence in our lives.

Today's Gospel: John 20:1-2, 11-18

My heart is with Mary Magdalene in this passage. Having been freed of her demons by Jesus, she became one of His faithful followers. How much she loved Him!

She witnessed His death and His empty tomb. I imagine how alone and sad she felt. Both the angels and Jesus addressed her as “woman,” a sign of respect, but she didn’t recognize them. It wasn’t until Jesus called her by name that she knew who He was.

“Mary.” It’s simple and powerful. I’ve heard it said that the sound of our name is one of the sweetest sounds we hear. I love that Jesus called her by name. I imagine His voice gently whispering the syllables of Mary. At that moment, she knew He saw her because He said her name as He’d done many other times. He called her out of her sinful life into a new one. He called her into relationship with Him. Of the hundreds of people He knew, He also knew her.

Sometimes Jesus feels far away. We feel as Mary Magdalene felt, wondering where He is. We feel alone and sad and wish for Him to be close. We try to remember that He is always close though. We are never alone and He does in fact know our name. Our human minds can’t understand how this is possible but our hearts believe.

Jesus knows your name. He knows and loves you. He wants you to know He is with you, closer than you can imagine. Jesus calls you by name to bring you out of your sin and into the light of His love, just as He did with Mary Magdalene.

Ponder:

Can you imagine yourself standing near Jesus and hearing Him say your name as He gazes at you with love? 

Pray:

Jesus, help me believe that You see and know me. Help me hear You call my name. 

Pray Together:

Talk about how you can practice hearing His call. Go to Mass early to settle in and ask to hear what Jesus is asking of you when He calls your name. 

Copyright 2026 Merridith Frediani