Rev. Thomas Kuffel
Two sisters, close to Jesus, invite Him into their home. Martha and Mary dedicated disciples of Jesus also become controversial. Martha complains because she is worried about many things, busy taking care of the home and hospitality. Mary, content at the feet of Jesus revealing she is a disciple, intent upon hearing Him preach, contrasts her sister. She is not worried. She is at rest. The two sisters have a brother also, Lazarus. He too is part of the family, and plays a key role as he dies only to have Jesus raise him from the dead.
The most controversial woman is Mary. St. Gregory the Great reveals her as the same woman whom Jesus cast out seven demons (Luke 8:2; Mark 16:9). Luke recounts a distraught woman, whose sins are many, falls at the feet of Jesus, smashes the alabaster jar filled with nard. Her actions only create a reaction from Simon, the Pharisee, who condemns her. Luke mentions her immediately following this story. She is one and the same as St. Gregory in his homily on Magdalene, declares: “She turned her crimes into so many virtues, that all that in her had despised God in sin was put to the service of God in penance” (St. Gregory Homily #33).
Mary anoints Jesus not once but twice, as St. John describes.
“There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at table with him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment” (Jn 12:2–3).
Yet, who is this woman that causes such controversy?
St. John Paul II in his letter concerning the feminine genius, The Dignity of Women, refers to Tradition and tells us:
The Gospel of John (Mk 16: 9) emphasizes the special role of Mary Magdalene. . .. Hence, she came to be called “the apostle of the Apostles”. Mary Magdalene was the first eyewitness of the Risen Christ (MD #16).
Not only is Mary Magdalene the first witness of the resurrection, but Christ also redeemed her.
Many reduced Mary to a prostitute, but in reality, seven demons possessed her. What demons possessed her we are uncertain, but like other exorcisms that Jesus performed, their dramatic expulsion was memorable. Legion possessed the man at Gennesaret in which Jesus cast him out and sent them into a herd of pigs who drowned. The exorcism in the Synagogue, the demons declare they know who Jesus is, the Holy One of God. The boy who convulsed and foamed at the mouth, Jesus rebukes. A demon possessed the Syrophoenician Woman’s daughter. With a word, Jesus rebukes him. Powerful stories reveal a different take than Magdalene being labeled a prostitute.
Magdalene knew evil face to face. Yet, like most who suffer from demonic influence, she feared for her life. Her sins controlled her life as the demons took more control of her. Desperate for help, she turns to Jesus. Falling at his feet pleading for freedom, Jesus declares, “Your sins are forgiven” (Luke 7:48). From that moment on, Magdalene became a disciple.
Such accounts cannot be trivialized, reduced to sins of the flesh. St. Gregory reveals the seven demons are the universal sins of pride, envy, wrath, sloth, greed, gluttony, and lust. Seven is also the number of the covenant by which the demons made a pact with her which destroyed her life. In an instant, with a simple confession, Jesus frees her from the covenant, removed all her sins, and invited her to follow Him. A dramatic change took place. She becomes an apostle to the Apostles filled with his Spirit for she knows the struggle of sin and the power of Jesus
Because of her experience with evil, Magdalene focuses solely on Jesus. When He comes to visit, she wants nothing else than to partake of his presence. She, a sinner, became a saint and now wants to abide with her Savior relishing his every word. Can this happen to us too?
Martha, a woman with many concerns, was busy. Not that busyness is bad, but priorities need enforcement. Many things are important, but as Jesus tells us one thing is important and Mary “has chosen the good portion” (Luke 10:42).
In the time of our Divine Visitation one thing is essential, that is Jesus. He comes into our homes, not as a guest, but as the host. He takes us out of our comforts, breaking us free from our sins. He too wants to strip us of our fears, worries, and despair and give us courage, peace, and hope. Yet, Jesus cannot do this if we do not stop, listen, and learn from Him.
Sadly, evil infests our culture and many run around distracted by a host of activities that have importance but are dispensable. Jesus is indispensable. He is the quintessence of life. Without Him, our lives are ragged. Running around taking care of so many concerns, our soul starves. Like empty vessels, we are void and never take the time to fill ourselves up with the essence of the Divine Presence.
To break our inverted thinking, Jesus comes into our lives. Making us wait, trying our patience, things breaking down, health issues happen, financial concerns, plans fail, and a host of other disruptions all designed to make us stop, think, and listen, asking: What am I supposed to learn from this?
Mary epitomizes the correct attitude, recognizing her Divine Visitation. Martha, on the other hand, epitomizes the denial and disregard for God’s powerful presence right before our eyes. Now it’s our turn to discern our priority. Do we accept the divine invitation of our host, Jesus Who comes to our home to make his dwelling with us? Or do we deny his invitation and are busy trying to serve and succeed; we miss our Divine Visitation.