The Great Apostle

Gospel: John 20: 1-2, 11-18

Today we will celebrate the feast of St. Mary Magdalene, a day on which men everywhere will heap praise upon her, recall the ancient title of "Apostle to the Apostles" regarding her, and then proceed to tell us why women cannot exercise ministry in the Church.  Mary Magdalene was chosen to be the first eyewitness to the Resurrection of Jesus, and called to be the first to proclaim the primary and fundamental message of Christianity to the others - Jesus is Risen.  

Consider how throughout the Gospels it is women who are first to receive such calls.  Mary and Elizabeth were the first to announce the coming of Jesus in the world.  The Samaritan woman was the first called to preach Jesus to others in his village.  Peter's mother-in-law was the first to exercise diaconal ministry and model discipleship.  All of this was done to directly challenge the ancient view that women could not be witnesses, could not be teachers.  The Gospels suggest otherwise.

This message was so controversial that not even Paul could accept it, deliberately omitting women as the first to experience and proclaim the risen Jesus.  It is that lack of acceptance that has somehow become Church "tradition" and not the actual message of the Gospel.  Mary Magdalene and the other women of the Gospels continue their mission, inspiring us with their faith and witness.  May we honor them in our lives by following their message, and allowing women of today to serve as they did.