Gospel in Art: Feast of Saint Mary Magdalen

The Magdalen, from the Workshop of the Master of 1518 © National Gallery, London

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 22 July 2024
John 20:1-2, 11-18

It was very early on the first day of the week and still dark, when Mary of Magdala came to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been moved away from the tomb and came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. 'They have taken the Lord out of the tomb' she said 'and we don't know where they have put him.'

Meanwhile Mary stayed outside near the tomb, weeping. Then, still weeping, she stooped to look inside, and saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head, the other at the feet. They said, 'Woman, why are you weeping?' 'They have taken my Lord away' she replied 'and I don't know where they have put him.' As she said this she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, though she did not recognise him. Jesus said, 'Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?' Supposing him to be the gardener, she said, 'Sir, if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and remove him.' Jesus said, 'Mary!' She knew him then and said to him in Hebrew, 'Rabbuni!' - which means Master. Jesus said to her, 'Do not cling to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and find the brothers, and tell them: I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.' So Mary of Magdala went and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord and that he had said these things to her.

Reflection on the painting

Mary Magdalene speaks to the seeker in all of us. In the Gospel reading for her feast, the risen Lord asks her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?" Mary wept because she could not find Jesus, whom she was seeking. Much of the sadness in our lives stems from a sense of loss and unfulfilled longing. We have all experienced this particular sadness, longing for something or someone, and feeling a deep sense of sorrow when that longing is unfulfilled.

In the Gospel reading, however, Mary's longing for Jesus was finally fulfilled. When the risen Lord spoke her name, she recognized him, and her sadness was transformed into joy. Even in that moment of great joy, though, she had to learn to let go of Jesus as she had known him: he told her not to cling to him because he was returning to the Father. From that point on, he would relate to her and all his disciples in a new way, being as close as ever, but in a very different manner.

This Gospel reading assures us that even if many of our longings remain unsatisfied, our deepest longing for the Lord will always be fulfilled. The Lord calls each of us by name, just as he called Mary. Through his death and resurrection, his Father becomes our Father, and his God becomes our God. In his journey from this world to the Father, the Lord brings us into his intimate relationship with God, making us his brothers and sisters.

Our painting from circa 1524 depicts Saint Mary Magdalene standing behind a stone ledge, holding her attribute, the vessel of oil with which she anointed Christ's feet. Behind her, a window opens onto a landscape. An open book rests on the ledge; the layout of the text indicated that it is a prayer book. The cliffs and buildings on the left are a fairly accurate view of La Sainte-Baume, east of Marseille, where, according to legend, Mary Magdalene spent the last years of her life. The church-like building on top of the rock in the upper left hand corner is the chapel at Saint Pilon. The legend of the chapel at Saint Pilon involves Mary Magdalene being carried by angels to this church-like building, located on top of a rock, seven times a day. According to the legend, from this elevated and sacred spot, she could hear the music of paradise.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/john-20-1-2-11-18-2024/