St. Mary of Egypt lived from about 344 to 421, and her feast day is today. It’s said she came to Jerusalem to ply her trade as a prostitute. There, Mary attempted to enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, but a force kept her from doing so.
After praying with a statue of the Blessed Mother, she realized the error of her ways, and went to a monastery where she partook of the Holy Eucharist after going to confession. Mary went into the desert to do penance. She died there forty-seven years later, after a priest she had encountered a year earlier returned and gave her Communion on Holy Thursday.
Today’s lectionary readings include Psalm 46:2: “God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress.”
St. Mary of Egypt’s example reminds us of God’s great love for us, and his forgiveness when we come to him with a contrite spirit and a humbled heart. Resolve to take whatever is binding your soul to confession or a reconciliation service this week.
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