In the name of God, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

 

This evening is the first evening prayer for the feast day of Mary Magdalene. Throughout this sermon I will refer to her as Mary unless I am quoting Scripture or distinguishing between the different Marys.

So, how much do you know about her?  And is what you know based on the Bible, papal misinterpretation, speculation or salacious misogyny?

 

She is one of the most prominent women in the New Testament, mentioned more times than any other save Mary, the mother of our Lord; and is in fact the 8th most mentioned woman in the entire Bible, and she gets more mentions that many of the male apostles.  She appears in all four gospels.  From the town of Magdala on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, after Jesus casts out her demons, she becomes a devoted follower, helping to fund his mission.  Relatively recent archaeological discoveries in Magdala have led some scholars to conclude that she may have been a rich widow.  She was present at key events, the crucifixion, burial and straight after the resurrection, having direct contact with the risen Christ.  

 

Let’s think about half of that sentence again.  She was present at the crucifixion. She stayed to watch Jesus be killed in a public and horrific way along with Jesus’ mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas.  The man who had cured her and whom she had been following since.  The men were hiding for fear of facing the same treatment.  She probably had less to worry about as she was a woman, but it still took bravery to stay and watch someone die.  And on the third day she went to the tomb to anoint his body with spices, again at risk to herself.

 

She is the first to meet the risen Lord, and the first to tell Peter and John that Jesus’ body is missing from the tomb.  She is sometimes referred to as the first Evangelist or the Apostle to the Apostles, but it is her first appearance that often gets tongues wagging.  Here it is in Luke 8:1-3: “Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. 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.”

 

Though she is not mentioned by name in the psalm sung by the choir and the OT and NT readings, they are of great significance to her story.  First, Psalm 139.  There are two verses worth mentioning: "O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar..."  and “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.”  

 

Mary is an example of how God has intimate knowledge of each and everyone of us and cares.  He cared about Mary, and that was shown in exorcising not one or two, but SEVEN demons from her.  Jesus saw her not for her past, but for who she could become through His grace.  To him she wasn’t ‘the one who had 7 demons’, but Mary.  As such she finds fulfilment in faithful service, and her ultimate identity in Christ.  And like her, you and I are fearfully and wonderfully made.  

 

Secondly, from Isaiah 25:1-9, “O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you, I will praise your name; for you have done wonderful things…”.  The passage from Isaiah is another recognition of the wonderful things God has done for us, the overthrow of corruption, and protection of the vulnerable, which Mary would have been while possessed, and then afterwards because she was a follower of Jesus, and because she was a woman of seemingly independent means, not defined by marriage to a man.

Isaiah speaks of a God who brings salvation and victory over death. This passage foretells the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom, where He "will swallow up death forever" and "wipe away tears from all faces."

Her tears of grief were turned into joy when she encountered the risen Christ. This reading shows that God is in charge of life and promises to restore us, bringing about the promise of redemption and hope.

 

Thirdly, from 2 Corinthians 1:3-7: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. (1:3-4)

 

The talk of affliction and consolation echo the experience of Mary.  She finds comfort in Jesus. She experienced the mercy of God firsthand, being delivered from her demons and becoming a beloved disciple. Paul speaks of a comfort that allows us to comfort others, and Mary lived this out by her unwavering presence with Jesus through his crucifixion, burial, and resurrection.

It isn’t just the readings that help us to connect with Mary.  It is also the words of the anthems.  This evening, we are fortunate to have the composer Philip Stopford conducting the choir for this service. They have sung two of his compositions, In my Father’s house, and Do not be afraid.  

 

The words to In my father’s house are based on John 14.  Jesus tells his disciples that there are many dwelling places.  Jesus is going ahead to prepare places for them, something only he can do.  It’s not their time yet.  This is echoed in the response Jesus gives to Mary Magdalene, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father.’  His job is a lonely one.  Mary’s is to ‘Go instead to my brothers and tell them , 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"

 

Words also included in this anthem are when Jesus says to the disciples, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Believe in God, believe also in me.”  By healing Mary her heart and mind were less troubled, but that did not take the pain away of witnessing the events leading up to the crucifixion.  

 

This links well with the other anthem, Do not be afraid, which is based on the 43rd chapter of Isaiah.  This anthem starts with the words, “Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you.  I have called you by your name; you are mine.”  In the garden Jesus calls Mary by name, and her response is Rabboni, which means teacher. She is precious to him.  There is affection between the two of them.

 

This is significant, but I think it is dangerous to get involved with conspiracy theories that Mary was Jesus’ wife and they had a child – thank you, Dan Brown – or that she was a prostitute.  There is nothing in the Bible that points to this.  Pope Gregory the Great is responsible for this.  In a sermon in 591 he said that Mary Magdalene was the unnamed ‘sinful woman’ who anointed Jesus’ feet in Luke 7:36-50, and that her sin was prostitution.  This is not supported by scripture, but Pope Gregory singlehandedly tarnished her reputation, but not only that, he undermined her prominence as a disciple.  

 

Why?  It is the pernicious agenda of patriarchal dominance threatened by and jealous of a woman of uncertain marital status, money and influence, someone with a close connection with Jesus, a significant apostle.  What is one of the oldest tricks in the book?  Discredit someone’s reputation.  It worked with Eve!  If good news travels fast, bad news travels even faster.  This reputation has lingered, worsened by the ‘there’s no smoke without fire’ mentality.

 

It was only in 1969 that the Catholic Church confirmed that Mary Magdalene was not the penitent sinner, but that was only 55 years ago.  On July 22nd, 2016, Pope Francis upgraded her memorial day to a feast day, describing her as the “Apostle of the new and greatest hope.”  I wonder if part of that is that she might finally get her reputation back?!  

 

 

What can we learn from her?

1. God knows and loves us completely: Just as Psalm 139 reveals God's intimate knowledge of us, we are encouraged to live authentically, knowing that we are fully known and loved by our Creator.  And as such we need to take that on board.  She was NOT a prostitute, though it is not up to us to judge sex workers to be outside of the love of God.  It is not up to us to judge ANYONE to be outside of the love of God.

2. Hope in God's promises: Isaiah’s vision of a future where God wipes away all tears and conquers death gives us hope. In times of trial, we can cling to the promise of God’s ultimate victory and restoration.

 

Being a follower of Jesus will bring good times and struggles.  “Do not be afraid”.  Mary faced unbelief when she passed on the message from Jesus, but she was constant.  She is a shining example of discipleship, despite efforts to discredit her.  We must be too.

3. Comfort and Compassion: Paul’s exhortation to comfort others with the comfort we have received challenges us to be agents of God's mercy and love in the world, following Mary’s example, wherever that takes us.  After her healing she was given another shot at life, so we should allow other people the same opportunities, not obsess about their previous predicament.  It is what God requires of us.

 

Her story teaches us about the transformative power of God’s healing, a journey from despair and struggle to one of faith, and the blessings as well as the burdens of discipleship.  Mary heeded the instructions, ‘Do not be afraid’, trusting that ‘there are many dwelling places in my Father’s house’, so we should too.  And it is because of her that we know, in the words of the first hymn, that Love lives again.  

 

Amen.

PRAYERS

 

“I will give thanks unto thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: * marvellous are thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well.”

 

Let us give thanks and praise and offer prayers to the God who is ever present, who knit us together in our mother’s wombs.

 

We pray for all in all positions of authority in our political, economic and civic life, particularly for women who fulfil these toles.  We give thanks for the discipleship of Mary Magdalene; her commitment to Jesus following her healing, her willingness to follow him to the end.  We give thanks for the women who have shaped our journeys of faith and celebrate the presence of women in the threefold ministry of deacon, priest and bishop in the Church of England.  

 

A prayer for Men and women in ministry

God of Abraham and Sarah, Moses and Miriam,

Peter and Mary of Magdala, 

you call men and women to witness 

to your love and covenant in each generation.

Open our hearts to the guidance of your Holy Spirit.

Free us from the chains of the past and present 

that impede your gospel

and give us courage to trust in your providential care.

Lead your Church to strive for justice, uphold dignity

and rejoice in all your gifts of grace, 

to your honour and glory. Amen.

 

We pray for all people who are maligned, whose reputations and value have been threatened or undermined.  We pray for women and girls around the world who do not have equal opportunities, who are barred from education, training and the work force.  We pray for organisations who try to support them and pray that the hearts of those who are oppressors will be turned and allow flourishing of all.

 

Heavenly Father,

hear our prayer for all who suffer through oppression, 

the hatred of prejudice, or violence.

Keep us from the indifference that passes by on the other side, 

and the bitterness that breeds further evil.

Fire us to strive for the dignity of all to be honoured, 

and for the reformation of those whose cruelty enslaves and injures,

that your kingdom of justice and peace may be furthered.

We ask this in the name of him 

whose cross has become the symbol 

of our redemption and freedom, 

Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

 

“Yea, the darkness is no darkness with thee, but the night is as clear as the day, the darkness and light to thee are both alike.”

We pray for those living in the darkness of pain, grief, depression, isolation, homelessness, or fear of violence, for those who are plagued by demons.  We pray that they feel God wipe away the tears from their faces.  We give thanks to God for consoling us in our affliction so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction.  We ask for God’s blessing on those who work in the medical and caring professions to ease the suffering of body, mind or spirit. 

 

Keep me afloat, O Lord,
as the waves crash around and over me, 

threatening to overwhelm.
Be my constant and sure ground 

as the tide of time ebbs and flows, 

bringing new surprises and challenges to my shore.
Cleanse and refresh my soul 

as the beach is renewed by the incoming waters.
Make my hope soar as the birds in flight,
and give me a song of praise 

to rejoice in your goodness in Jesus Christ. 

Amen.

 

We pray for the Church around the world.

 

In the Anglican communion we pray for The Nippon Sei Ko Kai, in the Porvoo Communion for the Diocese of Skara in the Church of Sweden, and the Diocese of Leeds in the Church of England.  In the Diocese we pray for: Bishop Jonathan and Archdeacon Kathryn, and for the Bishop’s Waltham Deanery Officers.  We give thanks for the opportunities for music making this evening, sharing talents, time and a shared vision for music as a tool for worship.

 

 

As the Cathedral of the Sea,
we pray for our seas and oceans:
for all helping to conserve our marine environment
and those whose livelihood depends on the sea;
for all who are at sea this night,
and those who serve to keep others safe.

Creator and Father of all,
we pray for those who go down to the sea in ships
and serve upon the waters of the world.
Bless them and all who minister to their needs,
that they may put their trust in you
and find in you a strong anchor for their hopes
and so be filled with your peace
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

We join all our prayers together in the words of the Grace:
The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with us all, evermore.
Amen.

 

 

The Twenty-ninth Day.

Morning Prayer.

Psalm 139. Domine, probasti.

OLORD, thou hast searched me out, and known me. * Thou knowest my down-sitting, and mine uprising; thou understandest my thoughts long before.

1 in in the 1892 Book

    2 Thou art about my path, and about my bed; * and art acquainted with all my ways.
    3 For lo, there is not a word in my tongue, * but thou, O LORD, knowest it altogether.

    2 ... : and spiest out all my ways. until 1928

    4 Thou hast beset1 me behind and before, * and laid thine hand upon me.
    5 Such knowledge is too wonderful and excellent for me; * I cannot attain unto it.
    6 Whither shall I go then from thy Spirit? * or whither shall I go then from thy presence?
    7 If I climb up into heaven, thou art there; * if I go down to hell, thou art there also.
    8 If I take the wings of the morning, * and remain in the uttermost parts of the sea;
    9 Even there also shall thy hand lead me, * and thy right hand shall hold me.
    10 If I say, Peradventure the darkness shall cover me; * then shall my night be turned to day.
    11 Yea, the darkness is no darkness with thee, but the night is as clear as the day; * the darkness and light to thee are both alike.
    12 For my reins are thine; * thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
    13 I will give thanks unto thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: * marvellous are thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well.
    14 My bones are not hid from thee, * though I be made secretly, and fashioned beneath in the earth.
    15 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being imperfect; * and in thy book were all my members written;
    16 Which day by day were fashioned, * when as yet there was none of them.

    17 How dear are thy counsels unto me, O God; * O how great is the sum of them!
    18 If I tell them, they are more in number than the sand: * when I wake up, I am present with thee.
    19 Wilt thou not slay the wicked, O God? * Depart from me, ye blood-thirsty men.
    20 For they speak unrighteously against thee; * and thine enemies take thy Name in vain.
    21 Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? * and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
    22 Yea, I hate them right sore; * even as though they were mine enemies.
    23 Try me, O God, and seek the ground of my heart; * prove me, and examine my thoughts.
    24 Look well if there be any way of wickedness in me; * and lead me in the way everlasting.

 

 

Isaiah 25:1-9

O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you, I will praise your name; for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure. For you have made the city a heap, the fortified city a ruin; the palace of aliens is a city no more, it will never be rebuilt. Therefore strong peoples will glorify you; cities of ruthless nations will fear you. For you have been a refuge to the poor, a refuge to the needy in their distress, a shelter from the rainstorm and a shade from the heat. When the blast of the ruthless was like a winter rainstorm, the noise of aliens like heat in a dry place, you subdued the heat with the shade of clouds; the song of the ruthless was stilled.

On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; he will swallow up death forever. Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.

It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

 

2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ. If we are being afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation; if we are being consoled, it is for your consolation, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we are also suffering. Our hope for you is unshaken; for we know that as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our consolation.

 

Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you.
I have called you by your name;
you are mine.
When you walk through the waters,
I'll be with you;
you will never sink beneath the waves.
When the fire is burning all around you,
you will never be consumed by the flames.
When the fear of loneliness is looming,
then remember I am at your side.
When you dwell in the exile of a stranger,
remember you are precious in my eyes.
You are mine, O my child,
I am your Father,
and I love you with a perfect love.

In my Father’s house are many dwellings, and if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.  

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God: have faith also in me. In my Father’s house are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you I am going to prepare a place for you? In my Father’shouse…

Where I am going, you know the way. For I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Fatherexcept through me. If you know me, you also know my Father. In my Father’s house…

My spirit will be with you always. The Advocate, the Spirit of Truth will remind you all that I have said.  PeaceI leave with you; my peace I give to you.  Do not let your hearts be troubled; Do not be afraid.  I have told you I will come back to you; have faith in me.

In my Father’s house are many dwellings, and if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be, in my Father’s house