Faith of a Woman

 Her mission, her faith, her deep love. Angel Studios portrays well in the series, 'The Chosen', Mary Magdalen in a special featured Christmas episode that I recently watched. It isn't too long but navigates the Christmas story creatively and beautifully. Depicting Joseph and Mary traveling to Bethlehem, and Joseph's strength and commitment of protecting Mary and providing for her and baby Jesus. And it also intertwines another story much further into the future, when Jesus has already ascended into heaven. 

Our Lady is older and more frail. She is reflecting upon the time of her son Jesus being born and her prayers and psalm she declared. Mary Magdalen comes to visit her and tell and update her rather emotionally about all that has been happening- the martyrdoms of some of the apostles and preaching in far off lands. Mary sends for her to write the psalms from her heart during the visit with her cousin Elizabeth for Mary Magdalen to send to the apostle Luke who is finishing up writing up the birth of Jesus. 

What struck me is that Mary Magdalen's mission is so unique. It is so profound and beautiful the way it is depicted and though a little bit made up, but perhaps it's also inspired spiritually. Mary Magdalen is also given the cloth the Jesus wore as a baby in the manger, Our Lady wanted to give them to her. Mary M. was struck with emotion, and pure love. I felt that this was symbolic-It was she who also was with Jesus at his most suffering and anguished hours on the cross, and who first saw Him outside the tomb on Easter morning. Her faith, her conviction I felt was strongly and beautifully revealed in this episode. 

Her beginning looked so different than her years following Christ. She was redeemed, perhaps more than once, as The Chosen portrayed, but isn't that how we all are, redeemed, loved, mercy poured out upon us, again, and again, and again. 

I can see how she would be a favorite saint to some, and my parents' wedding anniversary is on her feast day, July 22nd. She had an important part in Jesus' ministry and in carrying out the faith, in her own way and calling. Obedient to Our Lady, giving her full attention and dedication. Mary Magdalen has/had a special calling, and I felt that this episode showed that well. How all our gifts become useful and important in the mission God has for us as a follower, disciple, as woman, beloved.