Mary Magdalene

Soon afterward he went on through one town and village after another, 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...~ Luke 8:1-2

Today is the feast day of Mary Magdalene (of Mary of Magdala as she is sometimes referred).

In the gospels, Luke is the only one who mentions her in a context other than regarding Jesus' death and resurrection. And it is from his few verses here, as well as conflating her with the woman that bathed Jesus feet with her tears, that she has unfairly gotten the reputation that still hounds her: that as a sex worker. There's nothing here to indicate that she was one. She, like others, was cured of demons. That's all we know about her for certain.

However, other legends have followed Mary: that she, with other women, paid for Jesus' earthly ministry; that she was the beloved disciple in the gospel of John; that she was Jesus' secret wife; that she wrote a gospel herself.

One legend that I'm only recently familiar with is one in which Mary, after Christ's death and resurrection. moved to France where she became a hermit and was transported seven times a day into the presence of God.

This is the Mary of Artemisia Gentileschi's painting: a Mary in the throes of spiritual transformation and emotional release. A women giving herself joyfully to God.

This is the Mary who deserves to be remembered. The Mary who followed Jesus in his life.

The Mary who stood by the cross when all the men had fled.

The Mary who was the first evangelist - telling of Christ's resurrection.

The Mary who became so overwhelmed by the love of Christ that her faith was expressed viscerally, sensually, and with complete ecstatic fullness.

May I learn from Mary the fullness of giving my life to you. Amen