I have been reading an interesting book by Brene Brown—a researcher
and psychologist who has focused on vulnerability and shame—called Daring Greatly. Her basic premise is that, while it is
easier to sit on the sidelines of life and to be critical, it is much better to
be in the arena struggling to live wholeheartedly. While this is challenging it is much more fulfilling and is
what God wants.
I
mention this on this memorial of St. Mary Magdalene because she probably felt a
lot of shame in her own life.
There are many Mary’s in the Gospels (Mary, the Mother of Jesus, Mary
the mother of James and John, Mary the sister of Lazarus, Mary Magdalene, etc.)
so it is difficult to know for sure some key information about Mary
Magdalene. The Gospels agree that
she was possessed by seven demons that Jesus cast out. She may have been a prostitute.
Either
way, Mary brought the shame she had (and imagine the potential shame of being
possessed!) to the feet of Jesus.
With humility and on her knees, she wiped his feet with tears of
repentance. Jesus forgave her.
In
the Gospel Mary Magdalene is the first to understand that Jesus rose from the
dead. She told this to Peter and
later the apostles, for which she deservedly has been called Apostle to the Apostles. This understanding came in a mysterious
way—at first Mary didn’t recognize Jesus.
Yet after saying her name—“Mary”—she
understood.
May
we, like Mary Magdalene, bring all of our shame, guilt and confusion to the
Lord. He will call us, too, by
name, forgive us our sins and commission us to preach the Good News.
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