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Introduction

Among the female saints honoured in the Catholic Church, Mary Magdalene is widely known. She was a contemporary of Jesus and the apostles and is mentioned in all the four canonical gospels. It is probable that she hailed from the fishing town of Magdala located on the western shore of the sea of Galilee and hence she is referred to as Magdalene in the tradition of the Church.

Arts and media often portray Jesus accompanied by his twelve apostles and male disciples during the time of his public ministry. Nevertheless, there were women too who formed part of his missionary band. They would travel with him from town to town and support his ministry financially. Mary Magdalene was one such disciple.

Besides being a firsthand witness to Jesus’ crucifixion, burial and the empty tomb, Mary also had an encounter with the risen Christ who commanded her to announce the joyful message of his resurrection. (John 20:17b). Thus, Mary Magdalene received the unique privilege of announcing the good news to the apostles themselves thereby earning the title - "Apostle to the apostles”

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Fidelity

The gospel writers testify of vast crowds following Jesus during his public ministry. While some may have wanted to listen to his profound teachings and parables or to witness Jesus perform marvelous signs and wonders, the majority came with the intention of being delivered from their varied physical and spiritual infirmities. Among this motley crowd were also men and women who sincerely aspired to be his followers and disciples. This seemed to be the typical state of affairs when Jesus was at the pinnacle of his success and popularity. However, where were these recipients of his mercy and blessings when Jesus was undergoing his passion? How did these disciples fare when the time for testing their fidelity arose? Mary Magdalene is counted among the few faithful ones who passed this test of fidelity with flying colors. Like the good seed that did not stop growing, or give up when persecutions and trials came its way (Matthew 13:18-23) Mary Magdalene demonstrated her faithfulness by her steadfast presence at the foot of the cross.

May this beautiful illustration of fidelity shown by Mary Magdalene along with our blessed Mother and St. John the apostle, inspire all Christians to be faithful disciples of our Lord and savior in word and deed. St. John Chrysostom said-"Faithfulness in little things is a big thing". Let us begin by practicing faithfulness in the ordinary things- our commitment to our vocations, to our prayer life and the reading of sacred scriptures. To paraphrase the beautiful words of Saint Teresa of Calcutta -God has not called us to be successful but to be faithful.

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Fearlessness

No doubt the imprisonment and trial of Jesus was fraught with immense political and religious volatility. Gripped by fear, not many wished to be identified as Jesus’ followers during these times of turbulence; certainly not the majority of his disciples and apostles!! Peter the chief of the apostles, who had declared his undying allegiance to Jesus a while ago, ended up denying him thrice (Luke 22). Yet, Mary Magdalene displayed amazing fearlessness in such terrifying moments and was unfazed by any imminent threat to her life. Reminiscent of Jesus her Rabboni (teacher and master-John 20:16) the fearless proclaimer of the truth, Mary Magdalene too, stood her ground and faced the situation with remarkable boldness.

1 John 4:18- There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love.

In a world hostile to the values of the Gospel, every true follower of Christ will need this precious gift of fortitude to remain true to the teachings of the Church.

 

CCC1808 Fortitude is the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good. It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in the moral life. The virtue of fortitude enables one to conquer fear, even fear of death, and to face trials and persecutions. It disposes one even to renounce and sacrifice his life in defense of a just cause.

 

St. Thomas Moore of England exhibited Christian fidelity and the spirit of fearlessness when he sacrificed his life to uphold the Christian values, he believed in. In his capacity as chancellor of England, he refused to support King Henry VIII’s divorce and remarriage or acknowledge the king as the head of the Church of England- a stand which ultimately led to his martyrdom.

His quote- “I do not care very much what men say of me, provided that God approves of me.”

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Solidarity

One would expect an individual tortured beyond the limits of human endurance would be finally left to die in peace. But Jesus received no such privilege. His agony was exacerbated by the unsympathetic behavior of the soldiers, leaders who mocked, taunted and derided him with these words “You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”   “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him.  He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, ‘I am God’s Son.’” (Matthew 27:39-43) 

Amidst this helpless moments of our savior’s final earthly journey, the silent, prayerful presence of his mother and a few devoted friends like Mary Magdalene at the foot of the cross must have provided him the much-needed consolation and solace.

CCC 1948 Solidarity is an eminently Christian virtue. It practices the sharing of spiritual goods even more than material ones.

May the Lord grant us the grace to enter into the mystery of suffering by our active participation in the corporal and spiritual works of mercy (CCC 2447) as laid down by the Church. May we express our solidarity with those in pain or distress by interceding for the suffering, visiting the sick and the lonely and  providing necessary assistance to the needy.

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When her mother reproached her for caring for the poor and the sick at home, St. Rose of Lima said to her: "When we serve the poor and the sick, we serve Jesus. We must not fail to help our neighbors, because in them we serve Jesus. (CCC 2449)

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Reflection- Transformed into a missionary disciple

Dear friends in Christ, Mary Magdalene did not have a flawless past. The Gospels of St. Mark (chapter 16:9) and St. Luke (chapter 8:2) attest of Jesus having expelled seven demons out of her. In Biblical parlance, demonic possession could refer either to physical or spiritual infirmity. The debate of what she was liberated from, is best left to the scripture scholars. What is worth focusing on here, is the fact that having encountered the merciful love of Jesus, there was no turning back for her. Mary Magdalene became mission focused and dedicated the remainder of her life as well as her resources for the advancement of Christ’s kingdom (Luke 8:2–3). The unconditional acceptance of Jesus proved a powerful catalyst for Mary Magdalene’s conversion and transformed her into a new creation in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17- Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

And isn’t that what we are by virtue of our Baptism? A new creation in Christ!! So let us not allow the past to define us. Whatever the mistakes we may have committed, let us not despair, for God’s mercy is boundless. Christ came to redeem and not condemn us.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

John 3:17 “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

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The stories of St. Mary of Magdala, St. Augustine of Hippo, St. Olga of Kiev, St. Mary of Egypt corroborate the Catholic saying that - All saints have a past, and all sinners have a future. The invitation and challenge to imitate the example of the saints remains open to each and every baptized Christian. Empowered with the Holy Spirit and the rich graces of the sacraments, we have the potential to attain sainthood. May the example of St. Mary Magdalene inspire us all to shed the old wineskins (Mark 2:20-22) of our thoughts and deeds and to put on the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 13:14). By availing of God’s abundant mercy and cooperating with his grace as Mary Magdalene did, may we too be transformed into worthy missionary disciples of Christ’s kingdom.

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