Apostle to the Apostles

During His public ministry, Jesus was supported by the Twelve Apostles and other followers, including women such as Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna (Lk 8:1-3).  While Jesus' band of brothers - minus John the Beloved -  fled for fear of the Jewish authorities, Mary Magdalene (and other women disciples) were present in Calvary to be with the Lord in His final moments on the cross. Her role did not stop on Good Friday though. The Gospel for her feast day tells us: "Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb" (Jn 20:1-2). The remaining verses tell us how she recognized the Risen Lord and how she relayed Jesus' message to His apostles. Hence, Rabanus Maurus and St Thomas Aquinas gave this faithful disciple  the title "Apostle to the Apostles". 

Way back in 2016, Pope Francis, through the Congregation for the Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments, raised the celebration of St Mary Magdalene with a rank of Feast. It was formerly a Memorial. Archbishop Arthur Roche, Secretary for the Congregation, wrote: "[Mary Magdalene] is the witness to the risen Christ and announces the message of the Lord’s resurrection just like the rest of the Apostles. For this reason it is right that the liturgical celebration of this woman should have the same rank of Feast as that given to the celebration of the Apostles in the General Roman Calendar and that the special mission of this woman should be underlined, she who is an example and model for all women in the Church".

Reflecting on the world's current situation, Mary Magdalene's story comes to the fore. As she tended to the Apostles of old in their lockdown, modern Mary Magdalenes - women healthcare professionals and other key workers - brave the invisible enemy that is Covid-19. While most of us stay (and at times complain) at home, these women (and men alike) have been out there to tend the sick, the poor, and others adversely affected. We do not know when will this virus end. The lockdown has engendered other "viruses" such as inequality, discrimination, and indifference. During Mary Magdalene's time, women (as well as children) were treated as second class citizens. In our present time, people afflicted with the virus or those looking after those suffering from the virus have been looked down or even ostracized. There are also governments that, instead of prioritizing this issue have used this for political aggrandizement.

As we celebrate the feast day of St Mary Magdalene on July 22, let us ask for the grace to be new witnesses of the Lord's triumph over sin and death, bringing hope to the downtrodden and working tirelessly so that justice and peace would reign in our society.

St Mary Magdalene, pray for us.