E-Paper
Jesus & Mary Magdalene
To the very end, Mary of Magdala, followed Jesus with unwearied devotion and undaunted courage, even through the dangers that broke the courage of the chosen twelve.
Intrinsic to the spirit of Lent is the message of love. The mind seeks ways to be closer to God, who is love. To better understand the relationship between seeking and love, we need to look at Jesus and Mary Magdalene.
She is present at the two most important life-changing and life-sustaining events of the Gospel, the crucifixion and the resurrection. Into this picture put Mary’s constant loving and shadowing of Jesus Christ.
To the very end, Mary of Magdala or Mary Magdalene followed Jesus with unwearied devotion and undaunted courage, even through the dangers that broke the courage of the chosen twelve (except John).
Mary’s defining moment in the Bible comes in John 20:11-16. “Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said: “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said: “Woman, why are you weeping?
Whom do you seek?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said: “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, “Rabboni!” (Teacher).
Mary’s seeking for Christ did not start outside the tomb. Bible says Jesus had ordered the demons that occupied the body of Mary of Magdala to leave, thus releasing her from their horrifying influence. (Luke 8:2) Mary’s new life with the Lord Jesus Christ began from there. What is the reward that God gives her for seeking and loving so much? The Lord gives her forgiveness and the sight of God.
