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Mary of Magdala. Meditation Day
One
Studying the picture
This
medieval altar panel depicts the mature Mary of Magdala. The inscription on the
scroll says that she had been a sinner, but is now a saint.
In the background we
see four scenes which form part of Mary’s traditional story:
- a repentant Mary dries
Jesus’s feet with her hair (top left);
- Jesus raises Mary’s brother
Lazarus from the tomb (top right);
- Mary meets Jesus after his
resurrection (bottom left);
- Mary preaches the Good News
(bottom right).
Through the centuries
Mary of Magdala has been an inspiration to women.
Medieval painting depicting Mary of
Magdala.
Click here or on the
picture for an enlargement.
Reflection
When people hear the name Mary of Magdala, the
first image that flashes across their inner eye will probably be the woman of
the anointing. A woman generous with love. Generous with gratitude. An
endearing and beautiful image . . . But is this all there was to Mary of
Magdala?
Luke’s gospel suggests twice that Mary had a
sinful past. Whatever that past, - and who of us has a completely clean record?
– her actions after her first meeting with Jesus point to a spirited and
proud person, one who is able to hold her own. This is a woman who does not run
away when the authorities clamp down on Jesus and his followers. She follows
him all the way to Calvary and is found standing beneath the cross. She is the
prototype of a leader. It is evident from the gospels that she must have been
able to organise a group of women to join her when she decided to follow this
Rabbi Jesus. All four gospels are unanimous in pointing out how great her faith
was, her solidarity with Jesus, and her readiness to be his witness.
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