Welcome to Holy Family! We are in this together, and THIS is the Feast of Mary of Magdala. You may recall that last year our beloved Pope Francis elevated the celebration of St. Mary Magdalene (July 22) from a Memorial to a Feast Day, thus putting the celebration of her life and example on par with many men who have earned sainthood and are recognized as such by our universal church. In other words, our universal Church is saying that we not only remember her, we acknowledge the significant role that she played, and continues to play, in salvation history. Francis acknowledges Mary Magdalene’s role as the first to witness Christ’s Resurrection, and then running to tell the disciples, making her a true and authentic evangelizer. Pope Francis’ decree was entitled ‘Apostle to the Apostles,’ and thus underscores how she urgently carried the first news of the new life of Christ, and shared in spreading that good news to the rest of the world as a significant early church apostle.
These are only a few reasons that we here at Holy Family wish to extend the recognition that Pope Francis gives to Mary Magdala, and to countless women today who are evangelizers in our Church and our world.
We welcome Cynthia (Sam) Bowns at our morning Masses this weekend to share a reflection on the role that so many women play in the continued sharing of that good news. Sam is from Crete, Illinois and has recently retired as a development associate and alumni coordinator at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. She holds a Masters of Divinity and a certificate in spiritual formation from CTU where she continues as a volunteer. She is married and has three children. Sam has served for decades in a variety of parish ministries. She recently preached with Catholic Women Preach, which uses modern technology to bring the voices of diverse Catholic women to the proclamation of the Gospel through web-based resources. She is a spiritual director and has become a vocal advocate for restoring a women’s diaconate. She has been interviewed or featured by the National Catholic Reporter, America Magazine and PBS in their reporting on the possibility of ordaining women deacons. Please give Sam a warm Holy Family welcome.
We use one of the Easter gospel passages this weekend to help us appreciate the significance of Mary of Magdala’s witness. She is often remembered as a repentant sinner and, in my opinion, not recognized enough for what Jesus himself entrusted her with. The decree from Pope Francis will help the church to more fully celebrate that trust.
First of all, just as Jesus did for his own mother, he refers to Mary Magdala as ‘woman’ when she was emotional and upset as she bent over the tomb where Jesus was expected to be. The two angels in the tomb also address her as ‘woman.’ This title may seem harsh to us as English speakers, but in Aramaic, which Jesus spoke, ‘woman’ means ‘source of life.’ Jesus obviously recognized that Mary was a trusted source of new life. Her courage in the face of what must have been a very confusing situation is remarkable. In the midst of this powerful scene, Mary not only inquires where people may have taken the body of Jesus, but offers to take it herself. Jesus echoes the question of the angels in response to Mary’s significant emotion, “Woman, why are you weeping?” Her tears reflect not only her significant grief, but then she must have been almost distraught to find that he was now NOT resting in peace, in the place of his burial.
In a very short period of time her grief, sadness and confusion turn to wonder, amazement and elation. Encounters with the risen Christ will do that to us, won’t they? This is aided by her hearing Jesus address her by name – Mary.
Ultimately Jesus commissions Mary in a couple of ways. First, with the words, “Don’t hold on to me.” Perhaps he is urging her not to cling to the Jesus she has known and the grief that enshrouds her and the rest of the early church, but rather release, or let the good news of his resurrection go free to the world. He also commissions her to go to Peter, John and the disciples and tell them, “I am going to my God and Father, and your God and Father.”
As evangelist John’s version of the Resurrection continues, we hear that Mary of Magdala runs back to the disciples and announces, “I have seen the Lord!” This announcement inspires Peter and John to run to the tomb where they investigate, and ultimately John sees and believes.
This scene includes some of the classic themes of the Gospel of John. It begins in darkness and concludes with both the sun and the Son rising. Mary of Magdala plays a significant role in others believing in Jesus. Throughout the Gospel we hear that events, stories, signs and the witness of evangelizers such as Mary Magdala lead others to believe in Jesus. So many talented and faith-filled women have done the same in our church.