MP: Psalm 116; Zephaniah 3:14-20; Mark 15:47-16:7EP: Psalm 30, 149; Exodus 15:19-21; 2Corinthians 1:3-7
In Lesser Feasts and Fasts today we celebrate Saint Mary Magdalene (except in my 2006 edition they have misspelled Mary's name as Mary Magalene, sans d). She is one of my favorite mystery people in our Gospels. Who actually was she? What was her relationship with Jesus? With the other disciples? How influential was she during Jesus' life and then after in the forming of our Christian faith? Why was she pushed aside (besides for the obvious sexist/misogynist reasons) in the retelling of, and recording of, our Lord's life?
LFF's reminds us today that she was "the first messenger of the resurrection": Jesus speaks to her in her grief and she tells the news to the disciples. LFF also reminds us that in the eastern tradition she is put on a par with the disciples. Here was a great, loyal, independent, loving person: a companion on Jesus' way. Who are the companions accompanying us on our way? Those dear ones who we could not do without? Tell them today how dear they are to you.
jfd+
Copyright 2009, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment