MUELLER: The miracle of grace in the life of Mary from Magdala

“After Jesus came back to life early on Sunday, He appeared first to Mary from Magdala, from whom He had forced out seven demons” Mark 16:9.

If it is frightening to contemplate being possessed by a demon, it is much more dreadful to be a victim of seven demons. Such was the circumstance of Mary from Magdala. Demons are not neat and tidy boarders. They cause pain and suffering, and pollute the body and mind of their host. She appeared to be one without hope — a condition not unlike our own.

She, like us, on her own could do nothing to help herself. She was powerless against the prince of darkness and his servants. The world was no help, for it is also corrupted by sin. Even her own sinful nature conspired against her. She thought she had no place to turn.

But, Jesus did not leave her in that condition. He passed by where she was — we are not given the account of her healing — but we can be sure that it was not a happenstance. Jesus came for her and healed her of her conditions — note the use of the plural. Mary was not only plagued by the seven demons, but she was also, of necessity, not a believer. Jesus, as was His usual practice, healed her of both the physical torments she was undergoing by forcibly ejecting the demons, but gave her a new tenant — the Holy Spirit—for He also gave her faith.

What a joyful change in her life! From one of utter despair,  to overwhelming joy. Delivered from both her bodily suffering and spiritual death. From citizen of hell to citizen of heaven. What else to do, but follow the One who had healed her? From that moment on she became His devoted follower, sitting at His feet, hanging on every word, sharing His life of poverty and wandering.

And, when all of Jesus’ disciples abandoned Him at the cross, there was Mary of Magdala with other women — among whom are Mary (the mother of young James and Joseph), and Salome (Mark 15:40). She would not abandon her Lord and Savior and feared not for her life, because He had given it back to her. She watched to see where they laid His body (Mark 15:47), and when the Sabbath (Saturday) had passed she went with the other Mary and Salome on Sunday morning to anoint His body with the traditional spices that they were unable to do at His death (Mark 16:1).

So, it should not surprise us that she is also the first to be greeted by the Risen Christ (Mark 16:9), and as a sign of her relationship with Him she call Him Rabboni—Rabbi, teacher—for she was ever His pupil. Her fidelity to Him was rewarded by being the one who carried the first Gospel news that death could not hold Him — He is risen! He is risen indeed! (Mark 16:10).

Thus, grace found the maniac and made her a messenger of the good news to the fearful and trembling disciples, huddled in a room fearing they would be the next to be crucified. The possessed of demons was given to behold angels, delivered from sin and given eternal life in her Lord.

May we have such a faith as this, to realize that her experience with demons is ours before we were washed in the blood of the Lamb at our Baptism. May we too ever follow our Lord and Savior with the faithfulness and boldness of Mary of Magdala, proclaiming the good news to all that we meet. My hat is off to the women’s Sunday morning Bible study at Risen Lord for choosing to name their group after such a woman as Mary of Magdala.