Thursday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 446

Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment,
she stood behind him at his feet weeping
and began to bathe his feet with her tears.
Then she wiped them with her hair,
kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment.

Until recently, the woman in this story was thought to be Mary Magdalene, and was the first of three important stories. The second concerned Lazarus, because the same woman was deemed the woman we know as Mary of Bethany, sister of Martha and Lazarus. And the third was his appearance to her alone at the tomb of Jesus. In medieval paintings, she was also with his Mother and the Beloved Disciple on Calvary. 

Recent biblical scholarship has disproven that particular narrative, despite its universal acceptance from the 6th century teaching of Pope Saint Gregory the Great. However, the threefold story of forgiveness, enlightenment, and mission should not be lost. No harm to women was intended by the belief that she had been a prostitute. 

Rather, Mary Magdalene was regarded as blessed among women, second only to Mary the Mother of God. Her journey from repentance and enlightenment to being sent with the Good News of his Resurrection is every Christian story about maturity as God's people. The woman whose presence seemed to stain anyone she touched except Jesus became an "apostle to the apostles."

The saints universally acknowledge the alarming, disturbing recognition of guilt, shame, and remorse in the presence of Jesus. Whether they were notorious as this unnamed woman seemed to be, or as innocent as Therese of Lisieux, they are deeply distressed upon looking into the mirror of perfection. 

A woman explained that mysterious and very popular medieval image to me. First, medieval monks and nuns, upon entering the monastery, never saw another mirror. Why would they own a mirror when they should have no vanity about their appearance? Secondly, when a woman looks at herself in a mirror, she never likes what she sees. (Whereas men are usually rather pleased!) Remember, Snow White's wicked godmother who was so upset by what the mirror told her.

So when we look at Jesus, Mary, and all the saints and martyrs, as into a mirror, we invariably see how deeply grace has penetrated their lives, as compared to its disappointing impact on us. We may have come a long way, and God may be pleased with our progress; but we clearly have much, much further to go toward satisfying God's expectations. We can, and should have, done better by now! As Saint Francis said toward the end of his life, "Let us now begin for hitherto we've done but little."

Nor does it help to suppose I am better than this notorious woman who has invaded the  Pharisee's soiree. The Lord's mirror floods one's consciousness and does not permit comparisons. Rather, we remain in that place of remorse, shame, and humiliation until we hear him say, "Your sins are forgiven."