Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Mary Magdalen, Voice of Hope

Magdalen
Sister Barbara Reid talked about Mary Magdalen as one who ministered with the disciples, providing for the ministry from her own resources.  She gave scriptural references for the birthing hope in the Gospel account of John and how the women in the early church ministered in a variety of ways including financial support.  The main ministry of Mary Magdalen after Jesus healed her of her inner demons was as a preacher of the Resurrection.  Through this ministry she helps to move the disciples from fear to inner peace through forgiveness and holding fast to one another.  Sister Barbara asked us to reflect on how we as leaders birth hope through processes of forgiveness and reconciliation.  New possibilities are opened up when we consider images of death and resurrection in scripture that are connected to the concept of birthing.  Examples are found in John 2:1-11; 3:3-8; 4:10; 7:37-39; 16:21-22; 19:34; 19:40; 20:1; and 20:22.