St Mary Magdalene, after seeing the Risen Christ |
Mary
Magdalene, whose liturgical feast we celebrate today, is mentioned as one of the women who ministered to Jesus. The same
passage also refers briefly to an act of exorcism performed on her, on an
occasion when seven demons
were cast out. These women, who earlier "had been healed of evil spirits
and infirmities", later accompanied Jesus on his last journey to, and were
witnesses to the Crucifixion.
She was also the privileged first person to see Jesus risen from the tomb, an
honor that was not given to any of the 12 apostles, but only to Mary Magdalene,
probably in a way of thanking her for staying with Jesus till the end at the
foot of the cross. This is the last mention in the Gospels of Mary of Magdala,
who now returned to Jerusalem. She is probably included in the group of women
who joined the Apostles in the Upper Room in Jerusalem after Jesus' Ascension
and may have also been with the Blessed Mother at Pentecost.
Tradition
as early as the third century identifies Mary Magdalene with Mary of Bethany and with the woman sinner who anointed
Jesus' feet, even though she remains unnamed. The
identification of Mary Magdalene with Mary of Bethany and "the woman who
was a sinner" is reflected in an influential sermon Pope
Gregory I gave in 591, which said: "She whom Luke calls the
sinful woman, whom John calls Mary of Bethany, we believe to be the Mary from
whom seven devils were ejected according to Mark.
Mary had been looked upon as a great sinner, but Christ knew the circumstances that had shaped her life. It was He who had lifted her from despair and ruin. Seven times she had heard His rebuke of the demons that controlled her heart and mind. It was Mary who sat at His feet and learned of Him. It was Mary who poured upon His head the precious anointing oil, and bathed His feet with her tears. Mary stood beside the cross, and was first at the tomb after His resurrection. It was Mary who first proclaimed a risen Savior.
Mary had been looked upon as a great sinner, but Christ knew the circumstances that had shaped her life. It was He who had lifted her from despair and ruin. Seven times she had heard His rebuke of the demons that controlled her heart and mind. It was Mary who sat at His feet and learned of Him. It was Mary who poured upon His head the precious anointing oil, and bathed His feet with her tears. Mary stood beside the cross, and was first at the tomb after His resurrection. It was Mary who first proclaimed a risen Savior.
According
to Eastern traditions, she retired to Ephesus and there she died. Her relics were transferred
to Constantinople
in 886 and are there preserved. Most
importantly we honor today a woman who remained faithful to Jesus until the
very end of her life.
Beautiful painting of Mary Magdalene. I have not seen this one before... her face is transparent with love for Jesus; so soft with the hands of Jesus; it speaks a thousand words. Thanks for sharing...
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