Mary Magdalene has often been confused with Mary of Bethany (Mary, Martha, Lazarus) and the woman who was a great sinner in Luke Chapter 7. Although there is no Biblical evidence, she has also been portrayed as a repentant prostitute. This might be because she was from a town called Magdala that was known for being disreputable. We do know from Luke Chapter 8 that Jesus cast out seven demons from her. “Seven demons” might mean possession or severe physical or mental illness. In any event, Jesus healed her.
She could have been a woman of some wealth since she was part of a group of women who followed Jesus and the Apostles and helped provide for their needs from their means. Her devotion to Jesus was such that she and the Blessed Virgin, along with St John were there at the crucifixion, most of the others having run away. And she was the first witness to His Resurrection and spread the news to the Apostles. (St Thomas Aquinas called her the “Apostle to the Apostles.”)
Whether Mary Magdalene had committed some great sin, she – and all of us - needed God’s forgiveness and the healing grace of Jesus. Penitent sinners can look to Mary’s life for guidance on how to love Jesus more and how to stand next to Him in every situation in life. Jesus is always ready to forgive us. St. Mary Magdalene, pray for us.
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