(Reliquary in the Cave of Mary Magdalen in France, containing a lock of her hair)

I wish that this photo had come out more clearly, but you can certainly make out the hair of the one who dried His Feet with her locks.

St. Teresa of Avila brings out a very interesting point about what happens when Our Lord speaks. What He says happens. His words *are* actions. A leper said to Him, I know that if you will it, Lord, I will be cured of my leprosy. Our Lord said, "I will. Be thou made clean." And it happened! When Almighty God said, "Let there be light," it was there, instantly. So when He said to the Apostles, "Peace be to you" or to Mary Magdalen "Go in peace", their souls were instantly filled with peace. It wasn't just a fond hope, a nice wish. The peace was THERE, because He said it.

"Peace be to you." "I think this salutation of Our Lord contains far deeper meaning than the words convey, as also His bidding the glorious Magdalen to 'go in peace.' Our Lord's words act within us, and in these cases they must have wrought their effect in the souls already disposed to banish from within themselves all that is corporal and to retain only what is spiritual, in order to be joined in this celestial union with the uncreated Spirit. Without doubt, if we empty ourselves of all that belongs to the creature, depriving ourselves of it for the love of God, that same Lord will fill us with Himself."

But she also brings out the point that the Apostles and Mary Magdalen were ready to *receive* that peace, because they were ready to give up the world (in Mary Magdalen's case, a life of sin) and receive His peace and His grace. When we go to Confession, we too can receive His peace and His grace, if we are ready.