Saint Mary Magdalene

~~~ Memorial of Saint Mary Magdalene ~~~

~~~ Micah 7:14-15, 18-20 ~~~ Psalm 85 ~~~ John 20:1-2, 11-18 ~~~

Mary Magdalene was one of the most
significant women in the ministry of Jesus.

It is widely believed that she traveled with Jesus on many of his journeys.

She was at the foot of the cross when Jesus took his last breath.
She was the first to seek the body of Jesus in the tomb.
We often erroneously believe she was a prostitute,
but this is not supported historically in the Bible.
In 1969 the Catholic church declared
 she was not the penitent sinner.

One thing we do know for certain;
she loved Jesus.
She washed his feet with perfumed oil...
she kissed his feet and dried them with her hair.

Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples,
“I have seen the Lord,”
and then reported what he told her.

Jesus chose to reveal himself to Mary Magdalene
just hours after his death.
It was this woman he chose to carry the message to his apostles.
Sending a message via a female would not
have been customary at that time.
In fact, she is not initially believed; Peter and some of the others
 rush back to the tomb to see for themselves...
to get their own proof of her words.

Mary lived in the town of Magdala on the Sea of Galilee.
The full name of the town meant Tower of Salted Fish.
She may have worked in one of the local fish markets there.
She may have known some of the men Jesus called to follow him.
They were after all local fishermen who would have
brought their catch to the market for sale.

Her name suggests that she had no husband.
A married woman would have carried
 her husband's name;
she did not.

Luke 8:2 tells us that Jesus exorcised seven demons from Mary.
This action may have been enough to make her a believer. 

It would not have been surprising to believe in the person
 who had healed you in body, mind, or spirit.

The Resurrection of the Body of Jesus
 was the key point in the growth of Christianity;
Mary Magdalene discovered and delivered the news.

The question is...was Mary not an Apostle of the Lord?
Many have asked such a question.
What do you believe?

The fact remains that two thousand years ago
women were not in places of authority.

Jesus did cross the accepted boundaries on many occasions,
even concerning women,
but we have no substantial proof
he chose Mary to be one of his apostles.

Perhaps the apostles even saw Mary as a threat.

Mary Magdalene was declared a saint which means
she used her gifts to honor God.
God calls each of us to become saints by
using our unique gifts to honor him.

Mary Magdalene is a positive example
 for any woman who is or wants to be in church ministry.

Mary did not let her gender stop her from
being a loving, loyal, faithful
follower of Jesus.

You have no excuse to not be just such a person.
His Blessings make all things possible...
even for an ancient woman. (wink wink)
~~~Peace~~~

Mistaken Identity

~~~ 1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19-20 ~~~ Psalm 40 ~~~ Mark 1:29-39 ~~~

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

Young Samuel was sleeping close to the Lord in the Ark of the Covenant.
The closer you bring yourself to the Lord
the more likely you are to hear his voice.
God spoke to Samuel in a dream, but the boy was confused.
He was experiencing mistaken identity.
He thought it was the voice of Eli calling him when in fact it was the Lord.

Eli, being a holy man, eventually directed Samuel
 to identify the voice of the Lord.
It is not surprising that Samuel would listen for the voice
of Eli even while sleeping.
He was Eli's devoted servant. Eli was his elder...his teacher.
Samuel had much love and admiration for Eli.
Eli was the mentor, Samuel the apprentice.

Jesus quietly slips away before dawn to pray.
He separates himself to get recharged with the Spirit.
He has been walking, touching, healing, and forgiving all day every day.

“Everyone is looking for you.”

In his slumber Samuel was not looking for the Lord,
but the Lord sought out this young man.

Imagine if everyone was looking for you?
This reminds me of another time in the scriptures where
everyone is looking for Jesus.
The first time he slips away on his own
 and goes to the temple to preach.
Mary and Joseph have no idea where he has gone.
They are frantically looking for their young son.
Eventually he is found in his Father's house where he belongs.

This time the disciples do not know that Jesus
has withdrawn to pray alone.

Jesus is very independent; he does not have
servants that tend to his daily needs.
He has, however, surrounded himself with a few men
who are willing to take a chance and follow him.

Eli has Samuel as his closest companion.
Through Hannah's prayers and through the wisdom
 and guidance of Eli
Samuel grows up in the grace of God.
God sees a potential in Samuel to accomplish
great things later in his life.

God sees potential in you too.
Are you willing to explore your future with him?
Will you respond...here I am, Lord?
Look inside for there your true identity
 is being blessed by God.
Peace.