What do we really know about Mary Magdalene? 

Well, first of all, Mary Magdalene was not the sinful woman who bathed Jesus’ feet with her tears. That was Mary of Bethany, sister of Martha. 

In 1969, Pope Paul VI removed the identification of Mary of Bethany with Mary Magdalene. 

The first time we meet Mary Magdalene, she is in dire need of help, possessed by seven demons, which Jesus drives out of her. 

Twelve times we hear about Mary Magdalene in scripture. 

She travels with Jesus as He established His Ministry and may have helped support that Ministry financially. She is among the very few who dare to remain with Jesus when He is being crucified. 

She is also among the very first to discover He has Risen and is the first to actually see the Risen Jesus. 

Today in the Gospel of John we will hear Mary Magdalene, in great distress, speaking to two angels in Jesus’ tomb. 

“Woman, why are you weeping?” She said; “They have taken my Lord and I don’t know where they have laid Him.” 

When she says this she turns around and sees Jesus but does not know it’s Him. He says: “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and said to Him: “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you laid Him and I will take Him. 

Jesus says to her: “Mary”. 

She turns around and says: “Rabboni” which means teacher. And Jesus says: “Stop holding on to Me for I have not yet Ascended to the Father but go to my brothers and tell them: “I am going to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.” 

Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples: 

“I have seen The Lord.”

St. Mary Magdalene, please pray for us.