Saint Mary Magdalene

1Bride: On my bed, throughout the night, I sought him whom my soul loves. I sought him, and did not find him. 2I will rise up, and I will circle through the city. Through the side streets and thoroughfares, I will seek him whom my soul loves. I sought him, and did not find him. 3The watchers who guard the city found me: “Have you seen him whom my soul loves?” 4When I had passed by them a little, I found him whom my soul loves. I held him, and would not release him, until I would bring him into my mother’s house, and into the chamber of her who bore me.

2O God, my God: to you, I keep vigil until first light. For you, my soul has thirsted, to you my body, in so many ways.

3By a deserted land, both inaccessible and waterless, so I have appeared in the sanctuary before you, in order to behold your virtue and your glory.

4For your mercy is better than life itself. It is you my lips will praise.

5So will I bless you in my life, and I will lift up my hands in your name.

6Let my soul be filled, as if with marrow and fatness; and my mouth will give praise with exultant lips.

…

8For you have been my helper. And I will exult under the cover of your wings.

9My soul has clung close to you. Your right hand has supported me.

1Then on the first Sabbath, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and she saw that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb. 2Therefore, she ran and went to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and she said to them, “They have taken the Lord away from the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”

…

11But Mary was standing outside the tomb, weeping. Then, while she was weeping, she bowed down and gazed into the tomb. 12And she saw two Angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been placed, one at the head, and one at the feet. 13They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have placed him.” 14When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15Jesus said to her: “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you seeking?” Considering that it was the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have moved him, tell me where you have placed him, and I will take him away.” 16Jesus said to her, “Mary!” And turning, she said to him, “Rabboni!” (which means, Teacher). 17Jesus said to her: “Do not touch me. For I have not yet ascended to my Father. But go to my brothers and tell them: ‘I am ascending to my Father and to your Father, to my God and to your God.’ ” 18Mary Magdalene went, announcing to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord, and these are the things that he said to me.”