The Barefoot Evangelist

Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb shows us something so simple, yet so profoundly human: the power of showing up. She didn’t wait for anyone to tell her it was safe, or even to explain what was happening. She went, she stayed, she watched, and in that attentiveness, she encountered something miraculous. The lesson isn’t about being first for recognition – it’s about being present enough to notice the moments others overlook.

In our lives today, the world is noisy. Notifications, obligations, and distractions clamor for our attention constantly. We can get so busy “doing” that we forget to simply be. Mary Magdalene’s example reminds us that being fully present – giving ourselves to the moments before we try to change them – often positions us to experience transformation first-hand.

Presence, in its quiet and patient form, is active. It’s noticing someone struggling and sitting with them without a rush to fix; it’s paying attention to the small miracles tucked in everyday life. The first step toward change isn’t always action – it’s recognition. Presence can prepare the ground for insight, for empathy, and for the courage to act when the moment comes.

So this week, consider where you can cultivate the kind of presence Mary modelled. Perhaps it’s taking a few extra minutes to truly listen to someone, noticing a detail you normally overlook, or simply being still before making your next move. Miracles – both great and small – start with a single attentive heart.