Then he said, “If I find favor with you, O LORD, do come along in our company.
This is indeed a stiff-necked people; yet pardon our wickedness and sins, and receive us as your own.”
When Pope Francis added this feast day to the Roman calendar, he corrected an ancient mistake and added a story that should be told.
Pope Gregory the Great "conflated" Mary of Bethany and Mary Magdalene, plus the unnamed Penitent who appeared uninvited in the Pharisee's house; and all three were given the name of Mary Magdalene. Under that name this fictional woman became one of the most beloved saints of the middle ages. Several European Gothic cathedrals have chapels dedicated to her honor. That story consisted of three signal events: the Lord's mercy when she washed his feet with her hair; her elation when her brother was restored to life, and her faith which was rewarded with his first public appearance after his crucifixion. (He had privately appeared to his Mother Mary first.)
It is unfortunate that some modern feminists scold the Church for calling this fictional woman a prostitute when, in fact, we have honored her as a penitent, disciple, apostle to the apostles, and missionary to France. Her appearance as the prostitute in Jesus Christ Superstar represents only the ignorance of our time, and not the traditions of our Church. Because they do not believe in concupiscence, sin, penance, enlightenment, or sanctification, they cannot suppose the Church ever celebrated and invoked her as a spectacular Saint. They cannot imagine her as a near-equal of Mary the Mother of God.
In any case, Pope Francis set the record straight when he gave Saint Mary Magdalene her own feast a week before that of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. Jesus apparently used their home in Bethany, a few miles out of Jerusalem, as his safe place during his last days. After he had driven the merchants and money changers from the House of God, he would walk to the Holy City and into the Temple where crowds flocked to hear him speak.
The baffled authorities did not know how to handle this development until they arranged a deal with Judas Iscariot. Jesus, of course, knew what was happening with normal intuition, divine insight. and contacts in high places. (possibly, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea.)
The family of three adults Bethany represents the faithful Church beyond its apostles and missionaries. Although the whole Church is called to evangelize by our way of life, not every Christian is expected to be celibate, get ordained, or travel to a distant country. Most of us bring the presence of God into the world by our honest work and honorable engagements with people of every sort. Whether we are retired spinsters or on-duty police, active military or union workers, we find guidance in the Beatitudes and inspiration in the Eucharist. We pray daily because, like Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, we find joy in the Lord's presence. A day without prayer is a day without sunshine.
Each day, we confess with Moses that we are stiff-necked people, and must be pardoned for our wickedness and sin; and each day he comes along in our company.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.