Clergy from left, Deacon Amy Schmuck, Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, retired, The Rev. Mary Ann Hill. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com

By Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, (ELCA) retired

On a recent trip to Paris, I visited “La Madeleine”, the Church of Saint Mary Magdalene. Neo-classical in style, it looks much like an ancient Greek temple; the exterior, elevated on a platform, is surrounded by steps and Corinthian columns. The interior of the church is famous for frescoes on its domed ceiling, and for monumental sculptures.

The largest of these marble sculptures is behind the altar, “The Ecstasy of Mary Magdalene” by Carlo Marochetti (1805–1868), depicting the Magdalene kneeling as three angels transport her to heaven. Her death is not reported in the Bible, but there is a French, mystical tradition that Mary spent her last years exiled in southern France.

Mary Magdalene’s Feast Day of July 22 is on Wednesday, so let’s take this moment to look at who she was. (You can read much more about Mary Magdalene on Wikipedia.) Mary was called “Magdalene” as she was from the Galilean city of Magdala. Her story is found scattered in the gospels, showing her as one healed by Jesus, a follower alongside the twelve disciples, apparently wealthy enough to have helped to support his ministry, present with his mother at Jesus’ crucifixion, and the first witness of his subsequent resurrection. (Nowhere do the gospels mention her supposedly being a prostitute.)

Luke 8:1-3 mentions her among the women followers of Jesus:

The twelve were with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources.

When Jesus was executed on the cross by the Romans, two of the witnesses were his mother Mary and Mary of Magdala. (Ref: Mark 15:40-41; Matthew 27:55-56; Luke 23:49 [no names given]; and John 19:25) Although the gospels differ on the details, Jesus was quickly buried in a tomb, his body wrapped in linen just before the sabbath began.

According to The Gospel of John, chapter 20, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early on the morning after the sabbath, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone was removed and ran to tell Simon Peter. He and “the other disciple”—John himself—ran to the tomb and saw it was empty. They ran back home while Mary remained outside the tomb, weeping. She saw two angels in white in the tomb, who asked why she was weeping. Just then, she turned to encounter Jesus; she assumed him to be a gardener, but he addressed her by name. Jesus told her to go and tell his disciples that he is ascending to God. Mary was the first to whom Jesus appeared, the first follower called to tell others of Jesus’ resurrection.

‘La Madeleine’ the Church of Saint Mary Magdalene in Paris. Photo by Cynthia Biddlecomb

Egg-shaped icon of Mary Magdalene from Belarus: Icons of her traditionally show her holding the linen shroud showing her role as the ‘first witness’ to Jesus having risen from the dead. Photo by Cynthia Biddlecomb