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I asked about Mary Magdalene
Dear "large group of women pondering theology over wine,"
I suspect that you have figured out by now that this sight is not manned twenty-four hours a day. I apologize if you were looking for an instant answer. But, by sheer serendipity, I see that I am within hours of your posting this question.
The figure of Mary Magdalene has had a storied and somewhat infamous history. First, since I am writing this to you with due haste, my thoughts may not be completely formed or written well. Second, as with any historical figure from the Bible, our historical resources are limited.
What is fairly well agreed upon is that a pope (again, I would have to look it up....perhaps you can google for it while opening a new bottle of Zinfandel) connected two figures from the gospel of Luke in a homily--The sinful woman from Luke 7: 36-50 and Mary Magdalene from the following story of the women who supported Jesus in Luke 8: 1-3. The connection is unfortunate, since there is no literary connection at all. And I would note that the scriptures do not say what type of sinner the woman in Luke 7 is (sexual sin may be, and perhaps incorrectly, assumed); and all it states of Mary Magdalene is that she was cured of seven demons by Jesus (again, to presume these demons forced her into a life of prostitution would be a large assumption).
What is also known about the Magdalene is that she is the common witness to the resurrection in all four gospels. Witnessing the risen lord was what made one an "apostle" (the other characteristic is that apostles founded Christian communities, although, again, I may be doing short shrift to current scholarship on apostles). So, she is righfully called the "apostle to the apostles" for she was sent by the Lord to tell the others he was raised.
Also, a heretical gospel, the Gospel of Philip, speaks of the relationship of Mary Magdalene and Jesus. It actually says that Jesus kissed her and loved her more than the other disciples! Although we don't accept this gospel as canonical, it is still an historical document which may give insight into who Mary Magdalene was.
So, with just the bare basics above, what might reasonable people conclude? Well, to say she was a prostitute, an apostle or, as Dan Brown writes, Jesus's secret wife and mother of his child, would be claiming more than the available historical data can support.
What I think we can safely say is the Mary Magdalene was suffering from something, possibly demonic, and experienced a profound healing from Jesus. She was a disciple who, moved by the healing, followed the Lord faithfully and contributed to his mission. She was also so committed to Jesus and loved him so that she was the first to visit his tomb and the first and common witness to the resurrection.
I think the above can be safely said. Again, it is unfortunate that she has been reduced to a prostitute when this may not be the case; and, conversely, it is not too certain that she founded Christian communities, as (strictly defined) an apostle did. But what is certain was that she did have a profound healing from the Lord and witnessed him as risen, probably the first. And her love for him was probably quite deep.
So, I hope this gives you some insight into an interesting person, and I do pray I was able to get this posted before the wine ran out!
Peace,
Fr. Chris
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