The story of Mary Magdalene seeps into non-biblical actions and writings.
She is given a significant feast day in the church calendar, Mary Magdalene, Apostle. This is based on the high honor of being the first to receive a resurrection appearance in which she is instructed to tell Jesus’ brothers that he is risen (John 20:11-18). As a result, she is called the apostle to the apostles.
The Bible further describes her being healed and subsequently joining the women who followed and financially supported Jesus’ ministry. She is also mentioned as being present at the Savior’s crucifixion and burial.
Her prominence was quickly defamed, however, when many in the early Church claimed she was a former prostitute and seemed deliberately to profane her.
On the other hand, another tradition later developed in which she is Jesus’ wife. This is usually speculation based on her very intimate and affectionate response in the resurrection appearance. It sometimes gets goofy with their children living in secret throughout history to protect them from demonic agents. Their divinity will supposedly save humanity if they can elude Satan at the proper time.
Finally, in the last two centuries, several extra-biblical writings have been found that reinforce her very special relationship with Jesus. These texts describe Jesus acknowledging that she understands his message better than others and sometimes having the other apostles ask why Jesus loves her more than them and why he often kisses her.
Mary might be the primary example of the misogyny that has plagued the church throughout her history. It is very clear that early Christians resisted Jesus’ understanding of women and that the institution supported male superiority.
The current concern with the Epstein scandal indicates where this kind of thinking can land us. The church should be speaking loudly against anything that suggests the inferiority of women. Instead, we find official statements claiming the need for a more masculine form of faith in which wives obey their husbands and the priesthood is denied women.Certainly entitling Mary apostle flies in the face of the latter.
But even more troubling is the awareness that in unconscious ways, I personally continue the prejudice.
