Mary Magdalene

Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Herod's steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources. - Luke 8:1-3

One of my favorite Biblical characters is definitely Mary Magdalene. At first, it was because I was deeply drawn to the persona of the repentant sinner drawn close by Christ. After all, what could be more challenging to the religious and political hierarchy than to have a former prostitute in your inner circle? However, I was perhaps even more amazed by her when I learned more about her person and history. As it turns out, there is absolutely no record anywhere of her being a prostitute, or even a sinner any more remarkable than anyone else. She was combined with Mary of Bethany (Luke 10 and John 11) and the woman sinner (Luke 7) into one single person. Pope Gregory I is credited with cementing this via a sermon delivered in 591 where he indeed declared them to be one woman.

There are many theories as to why Mary Magdalene was not only lumped together with two other distinct women, but made into a prostitute. One is that she appeared to powerful for the church at the time. As Luke 8 notes, she provided for Jesus out of her resources; in other words, she was wealthy and independent. Furthermore, she was very close to Jesus - he even chose to appear first to her. Instead of allowing this possible undermining of male authority, later scholars and teachers wanted to give her a dark side. Another possibility is that there were simply too many women, and especially Marys, for them to be all considered different. Finally, it could be an attempt to give women two images to aspire to: the Virgin Mary, who remains pure and chaste, or Mary Magdalene, a sinner who Jesus loves anyway.

The cult of the Magdalene, encompassing everything from numerous depictions of the penitent Magdalene (such as the one pictured here in the museum of Florence's Duomo) to the mythology of her time in France, to even her prominent role in the "DaVinci Code" keeps her present in stories, legends, and popular culture. She is indeed an attractive figure to many people, although it is more often for rumors and conspiracy theories than for what we actually know about her.

I was thrilled when I learned that my first sermon at St. Anne's in London would be on Mary Magdalene's feast day and that the church did indeed want me to preach from those texts. I knew that if there was one thing we knew about her it was that we didn't know much at all. I wanted to teach the congregation the "real story" about this woman, but then remembered that Mary Magdalene isn't an agenda; besides, there's hardly enough information about her to make a "real story". Instead, I reminded myself to lift her up as we do with saints: as reminders of the human ability to love and serve God and neighbor fully.

There are three important things we can know from her story to be inspired by her. She was a woman healed by Christ, showing us his restorative power. She committed herself fully to his ministry, reminding us to do the same. And finally, she had the courage to pay her respect to him and declare his miraculous rising again against all odds, giving us the confidence to do likewise. Whether we make her a hero, a rebel, a victim, or a lover, the simple facts are enough to remind us that she was nonetheless a woman of deep faith and inspiration to us, even today.

(To read a rough transcription of the sermon, go here. Click on "sermons", then "Sunday 22 July at 11.00 [Mary Magdalene]")

God our constant guide, you have sent us inspirations in the faith to help us on our way. Thank you especially for Mary Magdalene, who for all the stories surrounding her was simply and earnestly your dedicated follower. Help us to be bold and committed like her, giving ourselves fully to you and trusting in your mercy. May we always be able to proclaim your Son's rising again, even in the darkest of times. We pray this in his name, Amen.