Mary of Magdala

Mary of Magdala

from Praying with the Women of the Bible

by Bridget Mary Meehan

A s the apostle to the apostles, Mary of Magdala is one of the most prominent women in the Christian scriptures.

She comes from Magdala, on the Sea of Galilee. According to the gospels she was a woman from whom Jesus had cast out seven demons (Mk 16:9). We are given no





description of the effects the demons had on her. Demon possession usually indicated some kind of emotional or physical illness. “Possessed by a demon” was a way to describe someone who did not behave according to the accepted mores of society. Seven different demons would seem to indicate that Mary of Magdala experienced intense personal pain. Whatever the seven demons meant, Jesus had healed her and she chose to become one of his disciples.1

According to Luke 8, Mary was one of the women who followed Jesus and supported his ministry with their resources. “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, and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward, Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources” (Lk 8:1–3). Her name is mentioned first when a list of Jesus’ female disciples is given. Scholars conclude that this means she was a leader in the female circle. Mary of Magdala has been identified with the sinful woman mentioned in Luke 7:36–50. There is no sound evidence to support this connection. Yet, for centuries many preachers, teachers, and theologians regarded Mary of Magdala as a prostitute, and artists and writers presented this distorted image of her. Some scholars claim that it was this identification that made the early Church leaders unwilling to use Mary’s courageous witness as a model for women in the Church.2

Yet, according to all four gospels, Mary of Magdala is the only person described as being present at both the cross and the tomb. She is the first of the apostles to encounter the Risen Christ.

In Luke, Mary and the other women are present at the tomb; they tell the disciples of the empty tomb, but they dismiss their report as an “idle tale,” and they do not believe them (24:11).

Matthew’s account mentions that Mary and the other women were present at the cross of Jesus. She and “the other Mary” went to see the tomb on the first day. An angel appears and assures them that Jesus has been raised (28:5–6). Both women dash off to share the good news with the disciples. While they are on their way, the risen Jesus meets them: “Greetings! And they came to him and took hold of his feet and worshiped him” (Mt 28:9). Jesus instructs the women to tell the disciples to go to Galilee where they will see him.

In Mark’s description of the crucifixion, Mary is described as one of the women who follows Jesus and ministers to him. She observes where Jesus is laid, and brings spices to the tomb after the Sabbath. When Jesus rises, he appears first to Mary of Magdala who proceeds to tell the disciples. They do not believe her.

According to the Gospel of John, Mary of Magdala is alone when she approaches the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark. Observing that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance, she ran and reported to Peter and the disciple whom Jesus loved: “The Rabbi has been taken from the tomb! We don’t know where they have put him!” (Jn

20:2, The Inclusive New Testament). The disciples ran to the tomb, looked in, and saw the linen wrappings there. Then they returned home.

But Mary stayed outside the tomb, weeping. As she looked into the tomb, she saw two angels in dazzling robes. They asked her why she was weeping. She replied: “Because they have taken away my Rabbi, and I don’t know where they have put him” (Jn 20:13). No sooner had she said this, than she turned around to see Jesus standing there, but she didn’t recognize him. She thought it was the gardener. Mary asked if he had taken away the body. Jesus said her name, “Mary!” She turned to him and said, “Rabboni!”—which means





“Teacher” (Jn 20:16). Then Mary went to the disciples and shared what Jesus had said to her (Jn 20:18).3

The Gospel of John describes a close relationship between Mary of Magdala and Jesus. When the other disciples come and go, Mary stays near by, weeping, searching for clues of Jesus’ whereabouts. Her grief is real. She has listened to his teaching and experienced his healing love. This type of deep friendship suggests a break with the social conventions of the time. Jesus regards Mary as an equal among the male disciples and, in an age when a woman’s word was suspect, calls her to be the apostle to the apostles.4

In a third-century writing, Pistis Sophia, Jesus chooses Mary of Magdala and John to “be on my right and on my left and I

am they and they are I.” Mary’s prominence is reflected throughout this document. She asks

39 out of 46 questions and participates in providing interpretation in this document. Peter expresses resentment toward her throughout the work: “My Lord, we shall not be able to endure this woman, for she takes our opportunity and she has not let any of us speak but talks all the time herself.” Mary objects to Peter’s efforts to intimidate her and charges that he “hates the female race.”5 Mary holds firm to her conviction that women or men who received revelations have an obligation to speak. “The argument between Peter and Mary Magdalene,” comments Elisabeth Schussler Fiorenza, “reflects the debate in the early Church on whether women are the legitimate transmitters of apostolic revelation and tradition.” 6

Raymond E. Brown observes that the tradition that Jesus appeared first to Mary

Magdalene is probably historical:



A key to Peter’s importance in the apostolate was the tradition that he was the first to see the risen Jesus (1 Cor 15:5, Lk 24:34). More than any other gospel, John revises this tradition about Peter…. In John (and in Matthew) Mary Magdalene is sent by the risen Lord…. True, this is not a mission to the whole world, but Mary Magdalene comes close to meeting the basic Pauline requirements of an apostle; and it is she, not Peter, who is the first to see the risen Jesus….7



In conclusion, Mary of Magdala was a close friend and disciple of Jesus. She is sent by Christ to witness to the male apostles. Even though she experienced disbelief and hostility from them, she persisted in her mission to proclaim the Easter event. According to Church tradition she is the apostle to the apostles.8 The courageous witness of Mary of Magdala gives hope to women in the Church today who are working for the transformation of patriarchy and for the inclusion of women in all the Church’s ministries. Perhaps the question that needs to be asked is when will the Church treat women like Jesus did—as disciples and equals—called to be partners in the proclamation of the gospel?







Reflection



“Meanwhile, Mary stood weeping beside the tomb. Even as she wept, she stooped to peer inside, and there she saw two angels in dazzling robes. One was seated at the head and the other at the foot of the place where Jesus’ body had lain.

“They asked her, ‘Why are you weeping?’





“She answered them, ‘Because they have taken away my Rabbi, and I don’t know where they have put him.’

“No sooner had she said this, than she turned around and caught sight of Jesus standing there, but she didn’t know it was Jesus. He asked her ‘why are you weeping! For whom are you looking?’

“She supposed it was the gardener, so she said, ‘Please, if you’re the one who carried him away, tell me where you’ve laid him and I will take him away.’

“Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’

“She turned to him and said, ‘Rabboni!’—which means ‘Teacher.’

“Jesus then said, ‘Don’t hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to Abba God. Rather, go to the sisters and brothers and tell them ‘I’m ascending to my Abba and to your Abba, my God and your God!’

“Then Mary went to the disciples. ‘I have seen the Teacher!’ she announced. Then she reported what he had said to her” (Jn 20:13–18).9

A noncanonical source, the Gospel of Philip, describes Mary as a target of criticism and envy for the other disciples: “…the companion of the [Savior], Mary Magdalene. [But Christ loved] her more than [all] the disciples. They said to him, ‘Why do you love her more than all of us?’ The Savior answered and said to them, ‘Why do I not love you as (Love) her?’” (Gospel of Philip 63:32—64:5).10

In another noncanonical source, the Gospel of Mary, Mary of Magdala tells the disciples to proclaim the gospel without fear. She assures them of the Savior’s presence. In the second part she shares a vision she has received. Peter and Andrew react with scorn to her revelations, but Levi defends her: "Peter, thou hast ever been of hasty temper. Now I see thou dost exercise thyself against the woman like the adversaries. But if the Savior has made her worthy, who then art thou to reject her? Certainly the Savior knows her surely enough. Let us rather be ashamed, put on the perfect man, as he has charged us, and proclaim the Gospel."11 

The Gospel of Mary

  "Go then, preach the good news about the Realm. Do not lay down any rule beyond what I determined for you, nor promulgate law like the lawgiver, or else you might be dominated by it."
After the Risen One had said these things, he departed from them.
     But they were distressed and wept greatly. "How are we going to go out to the rest of the world to announce the good news about the Realm of the child of true Humanity?" they said. "If they did not spare him, how will they spare us?"
     Then Mary stood up. She greeted them all, addressing her brothers and sisters, "Do not weep and be distressed nor let your hearts be irresolute. For his grace will be with you all and will shelter you. Rather we should praise his greatness, for he has prepared us and made us true human beings."
      When Mary had said these things, she turned their heart toward the Good, and they began to debate about the words of the Teacher.
     Peter said to Mary, "Sister, we know that Jesus loved you more than all other women. Tell us the words of the Teacher that you remember, the things which you know that we don't because we haven't heard them." 
     Mary responded, "I will teach you about what is hidden from you." And she began to speak these words to them.
     She said, "I saw the Teacher in a vision and I said to him, 'Teacher, I saw you today in a vision.'
He answered me, 'How wonderful you are for not wavering at seeing me! For where the mind is, there is the treasure.'
     These are the inspired words of Mary of Magdala

Discussion Starters



1. The Gospel of John gives evidence of a close friendship between Mary of Magdala and Jesus. This kind of relationship would indicate a clear break with Judaic custom. How is this relationship a model for women and men in ministry today?

2. Jesus treats Mary as an equal among the disciples. What impact did Jesus’ attitude and treatment of women in the

gospels have on Church teaching and practice through the centuries?

3. According to some noncanonical sources there was hostility between Mary of Magdala and Peter. How do Church officials today respond to women’s issues? What is your reaction to the current debate about women’s roles in the Church today?

4. What challenges do you face in proclaiming the gospel with courage and conviction today? What challenges do women face in proclaiming the gospel with courage and conviction today?




Prayer Experience



1. Make yourself comfortable and take several slow, deep breaths. Where there is muscle tension, let go. Look at your surroundings with awe and wonder, like a baby seeing the world for the first time. As you do so, be conscious of how each person/place/thing reflects the love of the Risen Christ.

2. Be aware of a time of grief or personal loss in your life…. You have lost a loved one(s)….

You are overcome with grief…. You don’t know what to do…. Suddenly you sense a presence near you…. You don’t know who it is…. A voice asks you…“Why are you weeping?”… You name your loss(es) and share your pain…. Suddenly you become aware that Christ is with you…. You rest in the embrace of the Risen One…. Christ looks into your eyes…comforts you…fills you with peace…assures you that your loved one(s) is happy…and one day you will be together…. The Risen One invites you to celebrate this person’s life (these persons’ lives) in a special way today…. You know exactly how you will do this…. Now is the time to live fully and love deeply….

2. Imagine you could interview Mary of Magdala about her encounter with the Risen Christ and her experiences with the male disciples after the Resurrection…. What questions would you ask her?… How do you think she would respond?…

3. Now imagine that Mary of Magdala is present at a Vatican Council called to address women’s roles in the Church

in the twenty-first century. Be aware of any questions…

comments…observations…revelations…feelings…insights

…she might share. Be aware of any responses she might receive from Vatican officials… Church members…news media…etc.

4. Invite Mary of Magdala to dialogue with the pope and bishops of the Roman Catholic Church on the role of women in the Church from the perspective of her relationship with Christ, her relationships with the male disciples, and her call to be apostle to the apostles.

5. Invite Mary of Magdala to dialogue with contemporary feminist theologians, and/or to meet with a women’s spirituality group. Observe the questions, thoughts, insights, observations, prayer rituals, celebrations that emerge.

6. Invite the Risen Christ to reveal to you any new ways you can proclaim the Easter event in your life. Pray your own or any of the following mantras that express the Risen Christ’s love for you:



“I have called you by name.” “You are my beloved.”

“I will always love you.”

“I will wipe away your tears.” “I will comfort you.”





7. Record your responses to the above prayer experiences in a journal, poetry, drama, art, song, dance, or in some other creative way.