The inclusion of St. Mary Magdalene in that list is odd, for all named references to her in the Bible are positive. The tradition that she was ever a prostitute is without foundation; it goes back to Pope St. Gregory I “the Great,” actually. The most negative statement about St. Mary Magdalene is that she had been a demoniac. Given the pre-scientific world view of Hellenistic cultures, that could easily mean anything from a physical disease to severe emotional distress, according to modern terminology.
The stories of women anointing Jesus are interesting. Some version exists in each of the four Gospels. The woman is usually unnamed. She is St. Mary of Bethany in the Gospel of John. She is either a reformed prostitute or just very grateful. She anoints either the head or feet of Jesus. The anointing happened in Bethany, at the home of Simon the Pharisee, Simon, the leper, Sts. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Scholarly consensus holds that there were two anointings, and that the Johannine account is a composite of the two, with other elements added.
By the way, there is an ancient Christian tradition of conflating St. Mary of Magdala and St. Mary of Bethany, due to the anointing stories.
St. Mary of Magdala was intensely grateful and loyal to Jesus. She backed his ministry financially, was present at the cross and the tomb, and became the first post-Resurrection evangelist.
I identify much with Saul/Paul. Great sinners often became great vessels for God. (I still have my Work to do though.) Peters betrayal. It seems that only in later years the Saints lifes Drew only on the strength of their subjects. Whereas weakness is so dominant in all people. Especially those trying to Walk alone. How Abt Steven? Or Simon the magician? Good that church History die Not end with the book of acts. Looking at the Life of tsar martyr Nicholas and His Family. Saints John of Kronstadt and St Seraphim of Sarov. Such great examples. The new Martyrs and Confessors of holy Russia who were executed during the soviet Regime… Up to the late great hierarch of Rocor Met Philaret and the now shattered TOC ..clergy and laity.
It was St Symeon the new theologean who Said that whoever fails to Connect to the latest of Saints in time, can Not Connect to those great earlier ones. See for exact quote on my Blog. So true. How to reach St Job without realizing and empathizing with St Nicholas II job as a nations Monarch , trying to keep the Country from falling into heresy and atheism…as an orthodox Christian autocrat.
Or how to empathize with those First Christian communities… Without knowing Abt the latest persecutions.. on the downside.. basically all heresies from the early centuries trying to extingiush the true faith are again present today in the 26plus thousand Protestant “ideas”/sects.
Oh Valerie, this is such a beautiful poem! And this is the story of every single one of us, in one form or another. Though we would rather gloss over our sins and zero in on others’ instead, the truth is, we embody elements of every sinner recorded in the Bible. One of my favorite prayers is the man who cried out in the Temple, “Oh God, have mercy on me a sinner!” (Luke 18:13) Thank you for your heart of humility. That is a breath of fresh air!
Valerie Cullers 
The inclusion of St. Mary Magdalene in that list is odd, for all named references to her in the Bible are positive. The tradition that she was ever a prostitute is without foundation; it goes back to Pope St. Gregory I “the Great,” actually. The most negative statement about St. Mary Magdalene is that she had been a demoniac. Given the pre-scientific world view of Hellenistic cultures, that could easily mean anything from a physical disease to severe emotional distress, according to modern terminology.
The stories of women anointing Jesus are interesting. Some version exists in each of the four Gospels. The woman is usually unnamed. She is St. Mary of Bethany in the Gospel of John. She is either a reformed prostitute or just very grateful. She anoints either the head or feet of Jesus. The anointing happened in Bethany, at the home of Simon the Pharisee, Simon, the leper, Sts. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Scholarly consensus holds that there were two anointings, and that the Johannine account is a composite of the two, with other elements added.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much for your insightful comment! I identify with sinners vs. saints…God has been very gracious to me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
By the way, there is an ancient Christian tradition of conflating St. Mary of Magdala and St. Mary of Bethany, due to the anointing stories.
St. Mary of Magdala was intensely grateful and loyal to Jesus. She backed his ministry financially, was present at the cross and the tomb, and became the first post-Resurrection evangelist.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, what a woman!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Eastern Orthodox Church lists her as “Equal to the Apostles.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is a lot I love about the Eastern Orthodox Church! I have people trying to convert me all the time to it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I identify much with Saul/Paul. Great sinners often became great vessels for God. (I still have my Work to do though.) Peters betrayal. It seems that only in later years the Saints lifes Drew only on the strength of their subjects. Whereas weakness is so dominant in all people. Especially those trying to Walk alone. How Abt Steven? Or Simon the magician? Good that church History die Not end with the book of acts. Looking at the Life of tsar martyr Nicholas and His Family. Saints John of Kronstadt and St Seraphim of Sarov. Such great examples. The new Martyrs and Confessors of holy Russia who were executed during the soviet Regime… Up to the late great hierarch of Rocor Met Philaret and the now shattered TOC ..clergy and laity.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. You are absolutely right!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was St Symeon the new theologean who Said that whoever fails to Connect to the latest of Saints in time, can Not Connect to those great earlier ones. See for exact quote on my Blog. So true. How to reach St Job without realizing and empathizing with St Nicholas II job as a nations Monarch , trying to keep the Country from falling into heresy and atheism…as an orthodox Christian autocrat.
Or how to empathize with those First Christian communities… Without knowing Abt the latest persecutions.. on the downside.. basically all heresies from the early centuries trying to extingiush the true faith are again present today in the 26plus thousand Protestant “ideas”/sects.
LikeLike
Oh Valerie, this is such a beautiful poem! And this is the story of every single one of us, in one form or another. Though we would rather gloss over our sins and zero in on others’ instead, the truth is, we embody elements of every sinner recorded in the Bible. One of my favorite prayers is the man who cried out in the Temple, “Oh God, have mercy on me a sinner!” (Luke 18:13) Thank you for your heart of humility. That is a breath of fresh air!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Blessings to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A though provoking poem. I will have to look again at the lives of these saints and sinners. You have inspired me to write a list poem… Thanks!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen! We all are. And by his grace only! But we have to respond to His Mercy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true!
LikeLike
A woman in all her elements. Beautifully weaved!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
HALLELUYAH! THE SAME IS AVAILABLE TO ALL WOMEN—NOT JUST THE HIGH-FALUTIN!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for the reblog! Blessings to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person