St. Mary Magdalene
St Mary Magdalene was among Jesus’s very first followers. According to the Gospel of Luke, Jesus freed Mary Magdalene from evil spirits who were troubling her. She went on to follow Jesus, to love Him, and to be present with Him in the most important moments of His earthly life.
Mary Magdalene followed Jesus to Calvary and stayed with Him in the moments of His Crucifixion. She watched Joseph of Arimathea place his body in the tomb. When she returns to the same spot, she sees that the stone closing up the tomb has been rolled away. She runs to tell the other disciples. Later, still at the tomb, she encounters angels and then Jesus himself. She does not recognize Him at first—maybe His resurrected body was a little different?—and she asks him if He knows where they have taken Jesus’ body. He only says her name—”Mary”—and she recognizes Him immediately. He tells her to go and tell the others what has happened.
Mary Magdalene was not only with Jesus in his hardest moments, but she also was the first to tell his other followers about the Resurrection. For this reason, St. Thomas Aquinas called her the “Apostle to the Apostles,” and the Church has adopted this title.
Mary Magdalene shows us what it means to be a follower of Jesus. She knew what it meant to be set free by Jesus, and she remained close to him through it all. She was the first to live out the call to tell others about Jesus and all that He has done for us.
Prayer for your Table
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the witness of the St. Mary Magdalene.
Thank you for freeing us from the things that keep us from loving and serving You.
We know that You continue to conquer evil.
Give us the strength to remain close to You,
To recognize Your voice when you call our name,
And to run to tell others the good news.
We pray in Jesus’s name,
Amen
Menu Suggestions
Both France and Spain have a traditional dessert named for Mary Magdalene. You may want to try the Spanish version, Magdalena Cakes, which require only a muffin tin to make.
