Lessons from a Sinner

by:  Charles Edric T. Co

Perhaps many have heard of Mary Magdalene.  Apart from the controversies associated with her in the Da Vinci Code,  her stories in the Bible have caused a dissension among different Christian denominations on whether the persons referred to in the Gospel are one and the same, or many and different.  While the Greek Fathers, in general, believe that there are three persons, Roman Catholics generally believe that these were one and the same Mary Magdalene.

St. Luke lists her among the women who followed Jesus after being healed of evil spirits and infirmities explaining that seven demons had gone out from her (cf. Lk. 8:2).  She is then mentioned in an episode of Jesus’ visit to Bethany, to the home of Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus.  She is depicted as the one who sits peacefully at the feet of Jesus listening to Him as Martha busies herself with her preparations.  When Martha complained to Jesus that her sister does not help her, He responds, “Mary has chosen the better part and it should not be taken away from her” (Lk. 10:42), reminding us of the primacy of the spiritual life, of the need to be nourished with the Word of God.

She would then be present beneath the Cross with the Mother of Jesus and other women, and eventually would become the one to discover the empty tomb beside which she stood weeping until the Risen Jesus appeared to her (cf. Jn. 20:11).

Her story reminds us all of the fundamental truth, as Pope Benedict XVI stated, “a disciple of Christ is one who, in the experience of human weakness, has had the humility to ask for his help, has been healed by him and has set out following closely after him, becoming a witness of the power of his merciful love that is stronger than sin and death.”  In this regard, the late Pope John Paul II highlighted the importance of meeting Christ personally for it is He who understands the human heart.

References:  
www.newadvent.org          
www.vatican.va