Mary Magdalene

Mary Magdalene:

Yesterday, 22^nd July was the memorial/feast of Mary Magdalene. The ‘Divine Office’ Vol. III page 119* says: ‘She was one of Christ’s disciples and was present at his death. On the morning of Easter day she was the first to whom the risen Redeemer appeared (Mk 16:9). Luke in 8:1ff says: ‘Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene… John was more personal in detailing the resurrection account: ‘Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran, and went to Simon Peter… and said them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb… and they went toward the tomb… Then the disciples went back to their homes. But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept… she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rab-boni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God. Mary Magdalene went and said to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”… (20:1ff).

While replying to the inquiries of the angels she refers to Jesus as ‘my Lord’! While stooping to look into the tomb Magdalene saw two angels…, Simon Peter who was reported to have gone into the tomb earlier could not see anything other than the linen cloths lying!

Another noteworthy thing is of the reading today. A choice is given regarding the first reading: i) Song of Songs 3:1-4a or ii) 2 Cor 5:14-17! Why at all the Song of Songs, a love poem be given? The ‘church’ seems to be averse to such realities of life as love and so on. I feel there is lot of hypocrisy in it. Certain things we are so keen to protect, though it is not from Jesus or his immediate followers. This may be to protect some of the later ‘necessities’ to sustain some systems which again is not evangelical. May be that this has helped the church for some time, not really strengthened it basically.

The evangelical virtues are more ornamental than genuine.  [July 23, 2013]