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In honor of Mary Magdalene’s feast day, here are some of the things you should know about her.
(And if you want to know more, stay tuned for an entry I wrote about her for a book project that will be published next year)
(And if you want to know more, stay tuned for an entry I wrote about her for a book project that will be published next year)
Mary Magdalene was delivered from intense spiritual and physical oppression by Christ, and in thanksgiving she donated her time, resources, and abilities to his earthly ministry. She witnessed his healing, his teaching, his death and resurrection, and the founding of his church.
A lot of people think of Mary Magdalene as some young harlot, but chances are that she actually was a much older, established woman of means. She is identified with her place of origin (Magdala), instead of her male relative (which was typical for the time).
Gregory the Great is credited with not only conflating Mary Magdalene with a bunch of other gospel women, but also with identifying her seven demons with the “seven deadly sins,” encouraging the false claim that she is the repentant prostitute of Luke 7:36-50.
So much mythology surrounds this woman. She is considered (wrongly) to be a sexual icon, and is often contrasted to the Virgin Mary in many historical art pieces/homilies/literature/you name it.
But she is a beautiful example of what the life of what faith looks like embodied. Her love of Jesus flows outward into a life of service and faithful testimony, being entrusted with the message of the resurrection.
She is the faithful disciple who hears the voice of Jesus and knows him.
“My sheep head my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)
John 20:17 She hears his voice and declares “I have seen the Lord!”
“My sheep head my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)
John 20:17 She hears his voice and declares “I have seen the Lord!”
