Mary Magdalene-St. Gregory the Great

Saint Mary Magdalene St. Gregory the Great Early Church Father & Doctor of the Church   The allegations of the Da Vinci Code notwithstanding, Mary Magdalene has been universally honored as a saint from the time of the apostles to the present.  All the gospels record her faithfulness to Christ even when the faith of the apostles wavered during and after the passion.  The Eastern Catholic and Orthodox tradition even calls her "the apostle to the apostles" since she carried the news of the resurrection to the twelve on Easter morning.  Some writers have identified her with the female sinner in Luke 7;37-50 who anointed the Lord's feet, and with Mary of Bethany, the sister of Lazarus in Luke 10: 38-42.  Others have identified these as three or two distinct individuals.  The following reading is an excerpt from a homily preached by Pope Saint Gregory the Great around the year 600AD and is used in the Roman Office of Readings for the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene on July 22.    When Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and did not find the Lord’s body, she thought it had been taken away and so informed the disciples. After they came and saw the tomb, they too believed what Mary had told them. The text then says: The disciples went back home, and it adds: but Mary wept and remained standing outside the tomb. We should reflect on Mary’s attitude and the great love she felt for Christ; for though the disciples had left the tomb, she remained. She was still seeking the one she had not found, and while she sought she wept; burning with the fire of love, she longed for him who she thought had been taken away. And so it happened that the woman who stayed behind to seek Christ was the only one to see him. For perseverance is essential to any good deed, as the voice of truth tells us: Whoever perseveres to the end will be saved. At first she sought but did not find, but when she persevered it happened that she found what she was looking for. When our desires are not satisfied, they grow stronger, and becoming stronger they take hold of their object. Holy desires likewise grow with anticipation, and if they do not grow they are not really desires. Anyone who succeeds in attaining the truth has burned with such a great love. As David says: My soul has thirsted for the living God; when shall I come and appear before the face of God? And so also in the Song of Songs the Church says: I was wounded by love; and again: My soul is melted with love. Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek? She is asked why she is sorrowing so that her desire might be strengthened; for when she mentions whom she is seeking, her love is kindled all the more ardently. Jesus says to her: Mary. Jesus is not recognized when he calls her “woman”; so he calls her by name, as though he were saying: Recognize me as I recognize you; for I do not know you as I know others; I know you as yourself. And so Mary, once addressed by name, recognizes who is speaking. She immediately calls him rabboni, that is to say, teacher, because the one whom she sought outwardly was the one who inwardly taught her to keep on searching.   Click here to download and print Saint Mary Magdalene!   For more Catholic resources to feed your faith, visit the Crossroads Initiative Homepage.   To sign up for our free weekly e-mail with Dr. D'Ambrosio's commentary on the Sunday readings, liturgical feasts, updates on where Dr. D will be speaking, a chance to WIN a FREE CD and MORE, CLICK HERE!   The DaVinci Deception! The DaVinci Deception is a powerful antidote to the spiritual poison found in The DaVinci Code. Easy-to-read in question-and-answer format this book tackles the key errors in this devastating cultural phenomenon. Perfect giveaway to family, friends, parishioners, and anyone you think may be in danger of having their faith in Christ and His Church eroded by the mockery of Truth that is The DaVinci Code. Come check out the special Lenten resources at The Crossroads Initiative on special! How Mary and the Rosary Can Change Your Life by: Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio   Talk 1:  The Virgin Mary: Model of Faith Some Christians seem to neglect her; others seem overly preoccupied with her.  What is the true role of Mary in God's plan, her intended role in our lives now, and the proper form of devotion to her?  In this talk, Dr. D'Ambrosio provides enlightening and inspiring answers to these questions from Scripture, common sense and the teaching of the Church.   Talk 2: A Fresh Look at The Rosary  There is something here for everyone-- those who have problems with the rosary, and those who've read every book on the subject.  Drawing from scripture, history, Church teaching and personal experience, Dr. D'Ambrosio shares insights in this talk that will forever change the way you look at and experience this traditional devotion.   Retail CD - $18.00                            Retail Audio Tape - $18.00