Thursday, July 22, 2010

The Feast Of Mary Magdalene


Mary has been known since early Christian tradition as "the first witness" and "the apostle to the apostles", as she was the first to witness the resurrected Jesus when she came to the tomb on Easter morning and was the one to announce the resurrection to Peter, John, and the others.

She is not identified in scripture as having been a prostitute, by the way.  She is mentioned in Luke 8:2 as having seven demons delivered from her body, a reference that grew into the common misconception in Western Christianity that she was not only the "first witness", but a practitioner of the "first profession."

For those willing to commit to some minor research, look up the Eastern Christian story of Mary and the red egg.

Almighty God, whose blessed Son restored Mary Magdalene to health of body and mind, and called her to be a witness of his resurrection: Mercifully grant that by your grace we may be healed of all our infirmities and know you in the power of his endless life; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.