Feast of Mary Magdalene (2022) John 20: 1-2, 11-18) “Mary, Apostle of the Lord”

Feast of Mary Magdalene (2022) John 20: 1-2, 11-18) “Mary, Apostle of the Lord”

There are several stories in the Gospels that should cause us to wonder about the relationships Jesus had with women.  The first is the Gospel we read last Sunday (Lk. 38-42).  In this episode we see Mary of Bethany sitting at the feet of Jesus as he teaches in her home.  Mary’s sister Martha is taking care of all the details of hospitality.  She protests and Jesus seems to affirm Mary’s presence at his feet.  Women were not usually sitting with men learning about Theology.  Jesus makes an exception in Mary’s case.

The second episode happens in the Gospel of Luke 7:36ff.  A woman comes into the Simon the Pharisees house.  She kneels at Jesus’ feet and anoints them with ointment and wipes them with her hair.  The woman is said to be a sinful woman.  Women were not to let their hair down in public nor were they to touch a man in public.  Jesus allows this woman to do these things and defends her action.  Some traditions would say this woman was Mary Magdalene.  There is no proof of that.  

We are left to ponder today how Jesus viewed women and what kind of relationship Jesus and Mary Magdalene had.  What we read in the Gospels would lead us to believe it must have been a close relationship.

This was probably a great gift to Jesus.  We believe he was single his whole life so he could have been immersed in a male world.  Everyone he worked with was male when he did carpentry.  The apostles that he traveled with seem to be mostly male.  Mary Madeline was a female friend.  She provided an alternative view of the world that I like to think Jesus appreciated. 

The love between these two individuals is most evident in the fact that Mary was the first to see the risen Jesus according to the Gospel accounts.  The thing that is most striking is that everyone else walked away from the tomb, but Mary Magdalene stayed.  Her refusal to let Jesus go led to her meeting the risen Jesus before anyone else.  She was also the first to be commissioned to go forth and proclaim the good news.

Reflection Questions:

1.    Have I ever wondered about the relationship between Jesus and Mary Madeline?  Do I find their friendship comforting or disconcerting?

2.    Am I at ease with the fact that there are many unanswered questions about Jesus’ relationships with women?  Why do you think this is the case.?

Dear Parishioners,

            The summer is slowly melting away.  It is vacation time.  If you are going to be out of town and are a minister, please make sure that you line up a substitute before you leave.  We don’t want to be caught short on the number of ushers, readers, etc. that we need.  Most people are good about this, and I appreciate this very much.

            Also remember to make up your offertory donations when you return to the parish.  Our expenses continue throughout the summer.  If you have not signed up for internet payment of your donations, please do that.  The parish then has an uninterrupted cash flow. 

            May Our Lady of Peace pray for us,

            Fr. Mark