Mary Magdalene’s story in the Scriptures d e m ons t r ate s a remarkable transformation and unwavering commitment to Christ. She emerges as a figure with a great capacity for her pursuit. Often depicted as a great sinner who traded her body for profit, pleasure and power, she reformed her life entirely after encountering Jesus. Granted that there is no biblical evidence that Mary of Magdala sexually prostituted herself, her previous life before her encounter with Christ lent credence to her spiritual prostitution.
With her transformative encounter with Christ, Mary Magdalene – once tortured by seven demons (Luke 8:2) – became a radical disciple healed, transformed and commissioned as the first preacher of the Easter message (John 20:17-18), being the pioneer witness of the resurrection. Mary, a native of Magdala, a fishing village on the western shore of Lake Tiberias, with Joanna and Susanna, supported the ministry of Christ with their resources (cf. Luke 8:1- 3). Her steadfast dedication and unwavering support for Christ’s ministry serve as a powerful inspiration for all believers.
And her complete surrender and transformation are a testament to the transformative power of faith, encouraging us to persevere in our own spiritual journey. Nicknamed ‘apostle of the apostles’ by St Thomas Aquinas, Mary Magdalene’s experience with Christ transformed her into a dedicated disciple who did not give a damn, leaving no stones unturned in her discipleship. Instead of trading her body for profit, she devoted herself wholeheartedly to becoming a dedicated disciple, relinquishing her former ways for a life of salvation. She traded her whole life for salvation in her inebriating love and passion for Christ. Mary of Magdala’s journey is a compelling testament to the transformative power of faith.
She played a significant role during Christ’s ministry and was present at His crucifixion, witnessing His terrible death and glorious resurrection even when all the disciples fled. Previously, Mary Magdalene traded her body for personal gain in the spiritual prostitution of sin, offering her will to the highest bidder’s allurement to sin. However, her encounter with Christ led to a profound change; she donated her body and gave it to Christ. An especially poignant moment was when she humbly used her resources to support his ministry.
This powerful act symbolized her complete surrender to Christ, demonstrating that she treasured even the most ordinary aspects of Christ far more than the best in herself. It was a testimony that the value she attached to Christ far outweighs her value for personal comfort. With steadfast determination, Mary of Magdala remained committed to Christ until the end, becoming one of the chief witnesses and first announcers of the news of Christ’s resurrection. Her journey is a compelling testament to the transformative power of faith and the boundless grace of redemption, which could be the lot of any person who dares to surrender to Christ.
In fact, through her encounter with Christ, Mary Magdalene stepped into the greatness of the children of God. She grew confident in her relationship with the Lord as a divine friend and master. In conclusion, the life of Mary Magdalene, saint and apostle of the apostles, inspires us to remain steadfast and persevere in Christian discipleship to mature as champions of the second half. Her life inspires believers to persevere in their Christian journey, embracing the opportunity for spiritual rebirth and growth, regardless of past failures. Like Mary Magdalene, Christian discipleship often requires submission to bloodless martyrdom of the daily existential journey.
Her life is a warrant for a new beginning, a spiritual rebirth through conversion experience that grows, matures and fructifies for the greater glory of God. From her life, one deduces that sanctity and greatness are not possible but a Christian imperative, irrespective of the current miserable moral or spiritual state. Indeed, her unwavering dedication to proclaiming the Gospel through words and deeds inspires all believers. It is an assurance that an arch-sinner can be an arch-saint, for every sinner still has a future.
• Very Rev. Fr George Adimike is the Director of Social Communications, Archdiocese of Onitsha. She can be reached via findfadachigozie@gmail. com.
