Magyar Egyház, 2007 (86. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
2007-07-01 / 1-2. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 7. oldal The Role of Mary Magdalene in Jesus’ Life and Ministry We, Christians profess a conservative biblical image about Jesus, the teacher, the ultimate authority of the Scriptures and the Law, thus, the most authentic representative of God. We affirm that Jesus’ life was based on a firm community - in both vertical and horizontal directions. He established relationships with his disciples, including women. In our belief, the Gospel tradition maintains the image of a professional relationship between a teacher and his students. We may not exclude, however, a special - if not exceptional - bond, between the Master, and his associate disciple, Mary Magdalene. Since, the assumption is not without risk, we should not go for a potential formation of myth around them. The core of a special relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene may come from Jesus’ special treatment toward women, breaking with the strict moral, religious and social codes of his day. At the same time, we should note that the background and the appearance of Mary Magdalene remain a puzzle. Her secret identity puts her into a delicate highlight, in which both virtues and weaknesses are suspected. Calling people’s attention to this ambiguous woman figure contributed to her popularity. It led into the formation of a fiction on a mysterious relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene. The real person of Mary Magdalene has not been clarified by the biblical scholars. Her nature seems to fit to the image of an unnamed woman whose brave appearance and strange actions created a scandal in a religious society. (Luke 7:36ff) She is also thought to be a woman healed from sickness: she was possessed of demons and delivered by Jesus. (Mark 16:9, Luke 8:2.3 15:40). There is a suspicion that she might had something to do with the woman who was converted from prostitution and had a chance to get freed from the prejudice and legal punishment, namely, from being expelled or stoned to death. We know of a woman image, whose name is called Mary, the sister of Martha, who is posed as a devoted disciple sitting at the foot of Jesus, listening to his teaching. Mary Magdalene’s name is mentioned among the commissioned women disciples following Jesus. She was present at the crucifixion supporting Mary, Jesus’ mother (Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23)and was the first to meet Jesus after his resurrection. (Matthew 28, Mark 16, John 20) She was sent to preach as an appointed apostle at Easter. In my mind, all these woman figures attributed to make the “real” picture of Mary Magdalene in her special relationship with Jesus. Mary Magdalene’s involvement in the circle of Jesus’ disciples serves to remind people of God’s inclusive vision about women’s participation as disciples and apostles. I think that Mary Magdalene stood for an integral feature of the Old Testament tradition that Jesus revived. In the ancient Israel, certain extraordinary women acted as leaders and prophets. At the time of Jesus, however, orthodox views expelled women from the leadership. In a conservative Jewish prayer, the religious male gave thanks to God for not being created a woman. The image of an exclusive and sexist God was annulled by Jesus who opened the door before women among his followers. Jesus’ choice in appointing Mary Magdalene an apostle supported the vision of including charismatic women as evangelists and church leaders in the Judeo-Christian church. In the apostolic era, the Gospel teachings were applied to the local churches' situations. Though, patriarchal sexism prevailed, some charismatic women played influential roles in the local churches. The image of Mary Magdalene as an associate disciple of Jesus was highlighted to encourage the local churches for changes. Mary Magdalene’s involvement in the confidential circle of Jesus served to shed a new light on a new partnership between the sexes in the ancient church. It aimed at fighting against the orthodox view, in which women were excluded from any partnership or leading position in the society. There were major objections, including prejudice and sexism, against women who were considered the cause of immorality as seducers. The other reason to involve Mary Magdalene among the disciples and the apostles had a social-ethical respect. People are apt to create stereotype stigmas and projections in prejudice. There is a risk to deal with a person whose reputation is ambiguous. That might be the case with Mary Magdalene. Jesus took the risk to employ men and women with virtues and weaknesses for the sake of utilizing their best qualities. I refer to Mary Magdalene’s generosity in showing her gratitude and humble affection toward Jesus. Her bold manifestation, as well as her enthusiasm and devotion were exhibited in the Gospel as virtues. We, Reformed Christians, may not promote the dubious liberal view of a secret affection or love affair generated by the Hollywood image of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, in which a sublimed affection with sexual flavored attachment is suspected. We affirm a biblical cohesion of love, affection and gratitude besides a professional teacher and associate relationship between the Master and the woman based on the Gospel traditions. To conclude the debate, no wonder, that Jesus held a special place for Mary Magdalene in his divine heart, because it is she who became the first woman evangelist and preacher proclaiming the Easter Gospel - in a personal testimony “I saw the Lord” - to Peter, Andrew, John, James, and all the future leaders of the Christian Church to be founded. Rev. Dr. Eva Lukacsi, Miami,Florida Reményik Sándor: "Mindent felírunk! Mindent felírunk: a gúnyszót, a szitkot, És hordozzuk, mint fájó, büszke titkot. Mindent felírunk: az elorzott kincset, A szöget, tövist, a börtönt, bilincset. Mindent felírunk: sebet, lelkit, testit, A szégyen bélyegét, mely rajt' veresük. Mindent felírunk: a keservek kelyhét És lobogóink tiprott, tépett selymét. Mindent felírunk: a nekünk fent baltát És álmunk megbolygatott nyugodalmát. Mindent felírunk: a megfojtott szót És egyenként a sok-sok bujdosót. Mindent felírunk: féltett asszonynépünk, Könnyünk és mindennapos rettegésünk. Mindent felírunk: mindent, ami érték: Gazdag aranyát és szegény fillérjét. Egy jó szót tőlük megtanulunk végre, S majd: "Cine mintye" ■ megfizetünk érte!
