About this episode

This episode reflects on the life of Saint Mary Magdalene as a model of holy love and desire, highlighting her transformation and devotion to Christ.

Read Online A Model of Holy Love and Desire On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they put him.” John 20:1–2 When Jesus first encountered Mary Magdalene, she was afflicted by seven demons. Many Church Fathers interpret this number as symbolizing a complete domination by evil spirits. Though later traditions identified Mary Magdalene with the repentant prostitute or the woman caught in adultery, the Gospels themselves do not explicitly make that identification. What is certain is that she had been grievously afflicted by demons (cf. Luke 8:2). To fall into such spiritual bondage suggests a life marked by serious sin. However, diabolical possession is not always the direct result of mortal sin; at times, God may permit such affliction for reasons known only to His providence, allowing a greater good to emerge from it. Whatever the cause of Mary Magdalene’s prior affliction, it is clear that God, in His infinite…

Topics covered

• Saint Mary Magdalene
• holy love
• spiritual healing
• Christian devotion
• Gospel reflection

Keywords

• Mary Magdalene
• Saint
• Gospel
• devotion
• spirituality
• healing
• Christianity

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Church Fathers, God, Luke

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