Mary Magdalene, July 22nd

In 2009 archeologists in Galilee discovered Magdala.  At the time of Christ, it was a thriving fishing town on the Sea of Galilee. 

The Sea of Galilee is a big lake, about five miles wide and ten miles long.  It is shaped like the state of Illinois. The middle of the state juts out to the west, like a fat man’s gut.  My hometown, Quincy IL is on the most western tip of Illinois. And Magdala is on the western tip of the Sea of Galilee, about seven miles or so southwest of Capernaum where Christ lived.

The discovery of Magdala is yet another gift from God. For it has given us more evidence that the Christ story is true.  You see, a first-century synagogue was discovered in Magdala.  The gospels tell us Christ went up and down the lake preaching in their synagogues.  So assuredly if one ever goes to the synagogue in Magdala, he will be standing in the same spot God stood. 

We honor one of the Church’s most beloved saints on July 22, Mary of Magdala. St Luke tells us she was a great sinner of some sorts.  And Christ did something for her that no other religious figure of His time was prepared to do – He showed her mercy.  Her story then is one of the most moving and encouraging stories in the gospels, as it gives the rest of us hope.  After all, we are all longing for the same thing as the Magdalene.  We are all longing for Christ to say:  It is okay. You are forgiven. Now go and sin no more.  And that is what the Magdalene did, to the very end.

Was it the Magdalene who anointed Christ with some expensive ointment two times?  If so, the first time she did so a Pharisee complained because she was a sinner.  The second anointing was the night before Christ’s triumphal entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday when Judas complained about the cost.  Christ vindicated Mary both times.  That tells us we should be like her.  Due to our sins, we should get low and humbly wash our Master’s feet with our tears.  And we should spare no expense in making our temples as beautiful and sacred as possible. 

The tomb was empty when the Magdalene went to anoint Christ’s dead body.  She ran back and told the others, but they did not believe her.  Peter and John then went to the tomb, looked around, scratched their heads, and went back.  But Mary Magdalene stayed.  She stayed and cried and kept vigil. And her perseverance then paid off. That is the crowning mercy of the life of Mary Magdalene (Butler’s). She was the first among the disciples to see and recognize the risen Christ.  She was the first to witness the resurrection, without which our faith and our preaching is in vain.

The resurrection of Christ is a real historical event.  It is not made up.  Neither is the town of Magdala which is part of the Christ story.  The greatest story ever told.