Songs 3:1-4 or 2 Cor 5:14-17 / John 20:1-2, 11-18
Mary Magdalene's appearance in the gospels was rather sudden.
According to Luke 8:2 and Mark 16:9, Jesus cleansed her of "seven demons". That could mean that she was under some kind of serious diabolic possession or influence.
The gospel of Luke has it that after Jesus delivered her of the "seven demons", she followed Him and joined the band of women who supported Jesus and His disciples out of their own means.
But it was at the crucifixion, burial and Resurrection that Mary Magdalene became prominent.
She was there at the foot of the cross with Mother Mary and the beloved disciple John; she was at that burial of Jesus; and she was there at the tomb very early on the first day of the week.
And it was there and then that Jesus appeared to her and called her by name.
In Mary Magdalene, we see a slow and silent transformation from the moment she was delivered by Jesus to the moment He called her by name at His resurrection.
She had a dark past, and maybe even after that was disregarded and labelled with rejection.
But in the events of the crucifixion, burial and Resurrection, Mary Magdalene displayed faithfulness, courage and love even beyond death.
The Risen Jesus also sent her to the disciples and to announce to them that He is risen, and that is also why she is honoured as Apostle of the Apostles.
So if every saint has a past, then every sinner also has a future. But just as Mary Magdalene put her future in Jesus, may we also put ours into the hands of Jesus and hear Him call us by name, and may we respond to be His witnesses of His saving love.