Sunday 24th July 2022 (Eucharist)
St Mary Magdalene, Outwood – Patronal Festival
Song of Solomon’s Wisdom 3:1-4
John 20:1-2, 11-18
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
What do you think of our readings today?
They are selected from the Common Worship Lectionary readings for the Festival of Mary Magdalene, normally observed on the 22nd of July.
We had a familiar extract from the Gospel of John, normally heard on Easter Day – a scene that begins with sadness and consternation, which is then transformed into joy and hope.
Jesus greets Mary Magdalene and sends her to the other disciples with an amazing message.
What about our other reading, from The Song of Solomon’s Wisdom…. ?
Was that familiar to you?
Also referred to as The Song of Songs, some might call it ‘Biblical erotica’, whereas others will consider it to be possibly the most edgy and lyrical book of our accepted scriptural canon – the high-point of mystical and spiritual wisdom, no less!
The passage we heard seems like love poetry, or a dream sequence….
It speaks of loss and seeking – of finding and holding;
Of waiting, looking, danger and grieving – and then finding and holding….
What does it mean?
What sort of “love” is being described in this clearly passionate poem?
Is it a sordid, visual and visceral narrative of a bond between woman and man?
Keep reading…. There is much to commend it to anyone whose enjoys rich imagery, vibrant language and poetic drama!
Or is it, as you might be thinking, an allegory for God’s love for Israel, with the constant ebb and flow of emotion, action and response – in the seeking and then in the coming closer?
The Old Testament is filled with such textual wonders, especially where God’s patient hope is tested to its limits in relation to Israel.
Does it matter?
Are we enlightened about Mary Magdalene in this love poem?
Well, it wasn’t until the third century that Origen, a teacher and theologian, suggested that Mary was the central muse of this text.
At the time…. This was not a popular idea…..
Other scholars have suggested it was satire, or
that it could have been written by….. a WOMAN – as it seems to be focussed on the feminine.
Most commentators concur that there is a passion and energy coupled with a mutuality and genuine caring – existing between two lovers.
The respect, fidelity and care are presented as if this poem were a template for “authentic love” – in any form.
The trust and and the deep, emotional intimacy seem to be more than the young and pleasurable joy that we read….
As if the whole thing was presented to the reader – because of something else – some other commitment – the KENOSIS – or the laying down of self for another….
Like a life changing experience that transforms in ways not anticipated!
Now, I am beginning to see a bit more of Mary here…
And quite a bit of Jesus too.
This Song of Songs describes an enduring love that is so deep and so true that it will be stronger than death itself….
In learning more about Mary Magdalene (thank you St Amazon and St Kindle), I considered two questions that might be asked – and should be asked:
Who was Mary Magdalene – and who wasn’t she?
I will be brief, as she is rightly at the core of much theological and scholarly study – and you are invited to find out more yourselves!
First of all – who Mary Magdalene wasn’t….
Who wasn’t she?
It is still all too possible to mention the person of Mary Magdalene, amongst those with a knowledge of scripture, at any level, and receive the dismissive summary: she was a whore, a prostitute – though penitent; a tart, no better than she ought to be etc etc – and this, from women as well as men!
Thankfully, modern scholarly research and dialogue has given Mary a bit of a ‘reset’.
Not a prostitute or person of low-moral-fibre, as she had been so often portrayed.
However… such labels and interpretations tend to stick in the collective mindset – they influence historical narratives – and they seep into the gaps where wisdom should prevail.
It’s the sins…. The healing of ‘afflictions’ – the appearance in art and contemporary imagery as a bit mad…. Or a bit naughty …. with hair so lustrous as to bewitch…. Half-naked for the gaze of men…..
The myths and stories that have informed our understanding of this real person have a lot to answer for.
And I am not alone in blaming Pope Gregory!
He amalgamated Mary of Magdala, Mary the sister to Martha and Lazarus, and the Mary of Bethany who anointed the feet of Jesus – and rolled them all into one MARY: the one who certainly wasn’t the Mother of Jesus.
This has had the effect of slanderously diminishing the witness and significance of these and other women in the Gospels.
Pope Gregory also proclaimed that the Seven Sins cast out of Mary represented the Seven Deadly Sins – all of which she had been guilty of – especially SEX!
Thus Jesus saves this vain and lustful woman from a terrible life….! And she pays him back, so to speak…. Or maybe she seeks more from Him that she cannot have…. It must all be her!
Or does Jesus have more to offer Mary – and she to Him?
And now I blame Dan Brown’s The DaVinci Code – and its source texts – with the salacious (good word – Salacious) possibilities and “clues” of a love affair and marriage, with ensuing progeny and lineage….
And yes, I have read the book and seen the film, and pondered the ‘what ifs’…..
But….
None of that is relevant, in my opinion. By all means boost the profile of Mary, if it means that people get the right idea…. But if such an approach descends in to rumour, fiction, and thus diminishing discipleship, then please – try harder!
Hopefully we can now see this misogynistic and sexist overlay, by an early Pope and the countless others who constructed a Patriarchal Christian church, for what it is or was: reducing the ministry of women to less than they are called – lest they seek an equality – a place in Christ’s church equal to men?
For where, in such a view of Mary, is the First Apostle?
The Apostle to the Apostles?
Where is the steadfast witness to the Crucifixion and burial – the Mary who acted from love and dedication of life?
Who was she?
Mary was one of several women mentioned in the Gospels who were of independent means… offering funds and material resources.
We might not have an accurate knowledge of where her independence came from – it could have been through a divorce or successful opportunities in commerce.
This was a time and culture where the control of a woman was passed from father to husband; where any woman not accepting this normative experience would be outcast, marginalised, taboo – presumed guilty of any and all sins…an easy target for accusation and slander, it might be said.
Yet, here is Mary – pushing the envelope – healed completely – SEVEN being a number that represented completion; and paying full attention to Jesus – alongside His male disciples – probably quietly, in the background – acknowledged for her commitment, yes….
But then, when everything kicks off and turns upside down? Mary and the other women – depending on which gospel one is reading – are still there! Waiting…..
At the foot of the cross, on the third morning…. At the tomb
And then, the resurrected Jesus is before her….
She calls him Teacher…. !
Teacher – not just friend, or ‘my love’ – but her respect is clear for Jesus.
The Risen Lord says to her….
“Don’t hold on too tight… it’s all going to be different now…”
There are echoes here of the Song of Songs – of an intimacy slipping away…?
Mary is sent out…. Away from this moment of joy…. Into uncertainty!
Mary is sent on a mission – the FIRST CHRISTIAN MISSION as EVANGELIST!
He bids her go and tell the others (who are hiding).
She goes – and she tells them: I have seen the Lord, and this is what He said to me…..
Do they believe it? Nope.
How might we perceive Mary Magdalene?
That she was called by Jesus, to be a witness to His resurrection, is not the issue – it appears in all four Canonical Gospels; and for us, it is confirmed by the Church of England in its Collects from the Book of Common Prayer.
Ok, so on the one hand I have noted that much of the historic imagery and presumption of Mary’s “life” and “person” have not been helpful in our understanding of such a significant person in the life of Jesus.
On the other, it could be said that understanding the intrinsic ‘value’ of Mary’s discipleship, love, and example to others, might benefit from a deeper, spiritual reflection on her as a woman.
The Gospels depict Mary as passing from darkness to light.
From ‘whatever the sins and afflictions are’ to becoming a true and attentive disciple.
Maybe her deliverance was from the periphery of society – for whatever she struggled with in her life before Jesus, was gone – her life transformed – being taken seriously; she was able to contribute and walk the road she could not have imagined before.
Are we obsessed with the sins of this woman, or do we want to engage with her transformation?
And then…
From the foot of the Cross, and the horrors of Crucifixion and death….
To the Garden, on that First morning.
And Mary Magdalen was there…. Talking to the Gardener…
And then…
Taking the most valued message to the world… new life beginning, from dark to light; new hope from chaos.
For in the beginning was The Word….
So What Next?
I feel I should apologise for a certain ignorance, concerning this church.
Although I had known of it as “St Mary’s, Outwood” prior to coming here, I had wrongly assumed it was in relation to Mary the Mother of Jesus – or one of the variables thereof.
Although there are many, I cannot recall any other church, from my own past knowledge, named for Mary of Magdala. An omission in my experience….
Shame on me – but good news for this community! You can push boundaries and develop dialogue in different ways about ‘this’ Mary – hopefully correcting that tired old narrative about her sins. Instead you can talk about her transformation – and offer inspiration for the discipleship and ministry of women! Yay!
Mary did the one thing we are called upon to do as witnesses and disciples: tell people about what Jesus has said to you….
And yes, I do know how hard that is….
As a middle-class, middle-aged, privileged white male – with a speaking part in the arena of public ministry – unlikely to get silenced (I hope!) – in an age where being heard is easy, I should have every opportunity to speak up – speak out and speak truth to power.
And I’m not afraid to do so and the issues that I feel drawn to preach about are usually the ones that make me quite vocal elsewhere! I have nothing to loose, really.
And yet I often fail in this. Tragically.
I know of clergy – whose livelihood often does depend on their position – who receive endless criticism for engaging with the politics of social justice – as Christian’s – seeking to stand alongside the maligned and outcast – often by the defenders of Scriptural Orthodoxy.
As if they are called to preach judgement and rules instead of love and forgiveness.
This seems especially so within any debate concerning gender or sexuality.
You may be aware that it’s the Lambeth Conference for the Anglican Communion this week.
The membership of the Communion is often perceived as fractured and not fit for purpose, sadly.
Polarisation develops when contemporary and divisive issues are not resolved to everyone’s liking. I have to say that, already, there is much cause for concern for the outcomes of this conference.
We will pray for the Holy Spirit to prevail in their endeavours, yes.
Some will say we lack the validity of scripture in having allowed women to be ordained into the priesthood and the episcopate, and our developing conversation on same-sex union; that contemporary and modern urges for change are not commensurate with a true, biblical faith in God.
Others will repeatedly remind us that we must preach the Gospel anew in each generation, excited in the directions that the conversations might take; that some issues – such as the Eucharistic Ministry of Women – have taken far too long and, on other matters, desire the Church to move more quickly in the modern age – to meet the people in their quagmire of uncertainty, and to retain the opportunity to make a difference.
Orthodoxy versus…. Well, what? Surely there is room at the table for everyone, without the need for divisive conversation that makes people feel like outcasts. I guess it works both ways.
If you spend any time amidst social-media you will encounter some fairly awful views and comments concerning all of this….
Such debates will continue. And let us hope that they do so, for such is the way of hope – that the dialogue remains, and our sisters and brothers in Christ don’t just walk away and do their own thing. Although, of course, that has happened, in some parts of The Communion.
Mary Magdalene – still emerging from the tomb of nonsense, lies and misogyny, into the daylight of reality and truth must surely stand as a beacon for anyone who has had the doubts of others thrust upon them.
Loving and resilient discipleship – eyes on Jesus – maybe a love affair of any kind that has integrity and insight – hearing the call to witness and be sent out into the world?
That’s incredible, don’t you think?
And, If there is still a need for symbolism, would not the true Mary Magdalen, the disciple by the cross and herald of the New Life – no less beautiful than her mythical persona, and far more real as a figure of independence, courage, action, faith and love – wouldn’t she serve women better as a symbol for today? (Haskins, 2005).
Let there be no distinctions as to the the “how” we bear witness – whether as Eucharistic ministers or anything else, in the church – based on gender!
And glass ceilings….. ? Let’s face it, churches have high roofs that give the impression of endless possibility. What has been the reality for women, across the years, who prayed for change…. Waiting and waiting?
Patience and fortitude are wonderful gifts for discipleship…. But be honest, how much wisdom was missed out on by making women wait for so long?
How much longer must we wait for our eyes to be open to the equalities of the Kingdom – for all are loved, all are one.
It is the failed power struggles between ourselves that place restrictions and burdens on others.
There is much for us all to learn about the patron saint of this church. I truly encourage you to read some of the more respected commentaries – if that’s your thing.
Or read the Song of Songs and listen for the Divine Wisdom to rest upon you… and enjoy it!
Maybe if you are feeling adventurous, you might consider reading the Gnostic Gospels of Mary and of Thomas, amongst others! I’m not sure if I can say this actually!
Hopefully you will pray, with me, that the Lambeth Conference isn’t completely obsessed with sex and gender to the detriment of God’s children – but that it offers hope to the oppressed.
But to finish, I give you a little challenge:
Perhaps as you sit here….
Or maybe during the week to come….
For a few moments, I invite you to imagine Mary Magdalene – in the ways she has been portrayed through history – the penitent prostitute, beautiful and bewitching, troubled, not quite right, of dubious quality…..
And do so in the voice of someone who might have something to say about that – maybe a fictional character, or a relative or friend…. Someone who maybe considers her ‘bad news’, the source of all the rumours, likely to bring down that nice man she hangs out with…!
I am sure you can imagine such a voice.
And then…. In your own voice….. picture Mary Magdalene in her proximity and discipleship to Jesus – someone who passed through trials and difficulties, through healing and comfort, to become close – valued and upheld as the spark that ignited the Christian church…..
This voice will not sideline her Apostolic glory or reduce her qualities of truth and honour.
I wonder what you will make of the the difference between these monologues?
I wonder what will settle within your soul, and lead you to inspire others?
How might such a moment take you forward into this week to ensure that The Kingdom of God is built on equality, justice and love?
However you encounter Mary Magdalene, or any of the faithful people that we meet in scripture…
I pray that your soul is opened up, and that you encounter the truth and beauty that God places within each one of us.
Amen.
Bibliography
Bourgeault, C. (2011) The Meaning of Mary Magdalene – Discovering the Woman at the Heart of Christianity, Shambhala
Haskins, S. (2005) Mary Magdalen: Myth and Truth (Pimlico E-Edition), Pimlico
Wright, N.T. (2002) John for Everyone (Part 2), SPCK
Cartoon: The Naked Pastor (David Haywood)
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