A HEART THAT MOVES GOD - MARY MAGDELENE.
Mary Magdalen has always been a predominant and fascinating figure for Christianity. But who was she really? The Gnostics hailed her as the companion of the Savior and the woman He loved most. Early Christian writers called her the Bride of Christ and the apostle to the apostles. But for centuries her most durable image has been that of a prostitute who repented and devoted her life to Jesus - an image that both shaped and so some extent reflected the Church's attitude toward women.
All that we really know of the real Magdalen are the four facts noted in the Gospels: she was one of Christ's followers; she was present at His crucifixion; she was one of the earliest witnesses of His resurrection; and she was the first person to be charged with proclaiming the Christian message. After nearly 2000 years, we are beginning to take a good look at Mary Magdalen and how her life epitomizes the condition of women in the Church and in society. Mary Magdalen had a heart that moved Jesus to return before the process of ascension had been completed, just to comfort her.
The situation with Mary's heart speaks of the situation of all our hearts. Mary Magdalene was tormented, she was isolated, she was depressed, she was suicidal, she was sick. According to the Gospels, she was someone that Jesus had cast out seven demons. She probably had a pretty good life except for the torment and the isolation. The definition of Magdalene: someone from Magdala or the inhabitant of a tower. It is commonly held by some that Mary was a prostitute, and this would mean that she probably had some money. If we look at the definition of a prostitute, it would mean: the giving of the body to get something in return. Not only does a prostitute give her body, she gives her heart. Mary gave her heart away to anyone who would give her something in return. In a spiritual emotional sense, we all give ourselves away, and at times, we will even give our hearts to the first person or to something that will bless us, or encourage us and give us love.
