The Feast of Mary Magdalene

Written by Tina Larsen

*St. Mary of Magdala Proclaims the Resurrection - M. Beudette, S.S. 2014*

When the opportunity presented itself, back in December, for me to possibly write a reflection on a Minor Feast Day, I was surprisingly quite interested. After looking through the list of possibilities, I came across the Feast Day for Mary Magdalene, and I felt a nudge to pick that one. To be honest, there seem to be so many Marys in the Bible, I wasn’t 100% sure which Mary was who. Sometimes the Bible doesn’t tell us last names or any further details to better identify who people are and we are left to speculate. Of course, I’m familiar with Mary, the mother of Jesus, but there are more Marys! Oh! And not to be confused with one of our own Marys at our church! But as I did further research, I began to learn more about this particular Mary.

For example, I had no idea that the feast day for St. Mary Magdalene has only existed since 2016, when Pope Francis gave her the status of a Feast saint during the year that he had announced as an Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. By so doing, Pope Francis showed not only the importance of Mary of Magdala’s role in the Gospels, but her deep love for Christ and the divine mercy of God.

Her name refers to the town she was from, Magdala, which is by the Sea of Galilee. It was a fish drying town. Like Jesus of Nazareth, or Jesus the Nazarene, titles which refer to the town Jesus is from, she is known as both Mary Magdalene and Mary of Magdala. This name also signifies that she was not wed, as she is not named after a husband.

As I have studied recently to learn more about Mary Magdalene, I have been putting myself in her shoes and trying to imagine what she was thinking and feeling after all she experienced. It seems she was possessed by many demons -- seven demons, from what I’ve read in Luke 8:2. How awful. Jesus healed her, along with other women, from their diseases and evil spirits, and Mary became a devoted follower of Christ. This reminds me of when I finally let Christ into my heart, and he healed me of my many sins. I don’t know if mine was as smooth as Mary’s conversion but hey, at least I came around!

If Jesus’ ministry was for only three years, his disciples did not have much time with him while he did the work of his father. I’m not sure at what point Mary’s healing by Jesus took place during those three years, but she stayed close to him as a devout follower and was one of many who helped provide for his and the twelve disciples’ needs through their travels.

One story we are familiar with is where Jesus is having dinner at the house of Simon the Pharisee and where an anonymous woman is at his feet, weeping and washing his feet with her tears and with her hair and then anointing them with oil, from a jar she had with her. Her repentance is clear. But it is not specified that this is Mary Magdalene. It’s possible that it is, since Jesus tells Simon that this woman’s many sins are forgiven, but it could also have been a number of other women. The Bible does not say, so I don’t think we should assume.

As time goes by in Jesus’ ministry, we then find Mary Magdalene at the crucifixion of Christ (John 19:25). Unlike the other Gospels, John mentions that Mary is one of the women that are close to the cross with Jesus’ mother and with Mary, the wife of Clopas. See! There are so many Marys!

Sunday morning, three days later, Mary Magdalene was going to the tomb in which Jesus had been laid, in order to anoint his body. This is where we learn of her being the Myrrh-bearer. She must have already been so sad at the death of Jesus. Her heart must have been so sad as she made her way to the tomb, planning to lovingly prepare his body. What a shock to arrive and find the stone rolled away and Jesus’ body gone! WHAT?? She ran to go tell Peter and John, who then came to see for themselves. It was just as she had said. They left, but Mary stayed and sat crying at the tomb. I just think she must have felt such sorrow and confusion.

Then two angels appeared in the tomb and asked Mary, “Why are you crying?” She started to tell them why she was so upset and asked that if they had taken her Lord to please tell her where. But when she said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there. He asked her why she was crying and who it was she was looking for. Mary thought he was the gardener. She said “Sir, if you have taken his body away, please tell me, so I can go and get him.” Then Jesus said “Mary!” (John 20:1-16)

OH. MY. GOODNESS! I don’t even know what to type of how Mary might have felt at the sight of the Lord whom she had spent so much time with. The man who had healed her, replaced her miserable life with so much JOY, whom she had watched be crucified, and then thinking it’s over and going to quietly, solemnly anoint him -- all to find him missing, and then to see him!!! No wonder there are many paintings and pictures of Mary Magdalene with a teary, emotional expression on her face.

This one woman was chosen to be the first person to witness the Lord’s resurrection! Because of this she is known as the Apostle to the Apostles. Mary’s life tells us so much about God's unlimited mercy; that there is hope for everyone. It is thought that she lived out the rest of her life as a recluse living a quiet contemplative life, possibly in Ephesus.

Questions for Reflection:

What are some sins that you think are too big to be forgiven?

Who are the people in your life that do not believe there is hope for redemption?

What are some ways that you can show Jesus’ love to those people in your life who might feel hopeless?

What changes can you make to be more intentional in your prayer life?

Collect for St. Mary Magdalene (Book of Common Prayer 2019, p.630)

Oh God, whose Only Begotten Son entrusted Mary Magdalene before all others with announcing the great joy of the Resurrection, grant we pray, that through her intercession and example we may proclaim the living Christ and come to see him reigning in your glory.

Resources used:

Blake PlymptonJuly 22, 2023