St. Mary Magdalene

Summary

Catholic Saints Podcast: St. Mary Magdalene

Podcast: Catholic Saints
Host: Augustine Institute
Episode: St. Mary Magdalene
Date: July 22, 2026
Guests/Speakers: Taylor Kemp (B), Dr. Ben Akers (C)

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Episode Overview

In this enriching episode, Taylor Kemp and Dr. Ben Akers from the Augustine Institute explore the life, identity, and spiritual significance of St. Mary Magdalene. The episode focuses on scriptural accounts, theological interpretations, and the impact of Mary Magdalene as "the Apostle to the apostles"—an inspiring model for contemporary Christians on repentance, discipleship, and evangelization.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Universal Appeal and Variety of the Saints

• The saints exemplify creative living out of faith, hope, and charity (03:04).
• Dr. Akers and Taylor reminisce on how stories of saints (e.g., St. Francis of Assisi) can be personally relatable and profoundly inspiring (02:19).

2. Introducing St. Mary Magdalene

• St. Mary Magdalene's feast was elevated from an optional memorial to a full feast day—a testament to her importance in the Church (05:16).
• Dr. Akers shares: "She's one of my favorites. I actually named one of my daughters after her... Marie Madeleine." (04:52)

3. Scriptural Analysis: Who Is Mary Magdalene?

• Identity Debate: Is Mary Magdalene the same as Mary of Bethany? Dr. Akers argues for this identification, noting the confusion caused by the multiple 'Marys' in the Gospels (05:23).
• Early Church Fathers, notably St. Gregory the Great, supported this view, though it remains a debated topic (07:38, 11:24).
• Notable quote: "Not all agree on that. So I'm not saying this is a theory. I'm just gonna argue my theory." – Dr. Akers (11:37)

4. Key Gospel Scenes Involving Mary Magdalene

• Luke 7: The "woman of the city, a sinner" anoints Jesus’ feet with her hair and ointment—a gesture full of symbolic depth (07:06).
• Dr. Akers connects this motif of “feet” with Isaiah 52: "How beautiful are the feet of him who brings the gospel" (07:34-07:38).
• After this encounter, Mary Magdalene is named in Luke 8 as one from whom "seven demons had gone out" (08:33).
• Mary is consistently portrayed as placing herself at Jesus’ feet—serving, listening, and later, grieving (13:15, 16:16).

Memorable Quote:

"But why is this woman so focused on the feet of Christ? ...She recognizes that he's the one bringing the good news. And what's the good news? It's forgiveness."
– Dr. Akers (07:38)

5. The Meaning of “Magdalene”

• Several theories: from the town of Magdala; a possible euphemism for “prostitute” in the Talmud; and possibly from the Aramaic for “great” or “magnificent” (12:11).
• Henry Daniel Ropes suggests Magdalene might be a play on the word for “perfume,” alluding to her acts of anointing (12:24).

6. Mary Magdalene and Mary of Bethany: One and the Same?

• Patterns: Mary is frequently found at Jesus’ feet—serving, grieving, listening, and anointing (13:15-16:59).
• In John 11, Martha goes to meet Jesus after Lazarus’ death while Mary waits until called—showing distinctive personalities (16:56).
• "Mary's used to be waiting for Christ to call her, and then she responds.” – Dr. Akers (16:59)
• The act of anointing prior to the Passion underscores her love and prophetic role (18:05).
• Jesus: "Wherever the gospel is preached, what she did for me will be told in memory of her." (19:29)

7. The Easter Encounter: Apostle to the Apostles

• Mary Magdalene is the first to see the risen Christ and is commissioned to proclaim the Resurrection to the apostles—her feet become "beautiful" as she shares the good news (19:30-20:34).
• Hence her title "Apostle to the apostles."

Memorable Quote:

"She sees the good news of the Resurrection. She had the good news of mercy in her life. ...And her feet are now beautiful as the one who runs to tell the good news."
– Dr. Akers (20:19)

8. Spiritual Application and Takeaways

• Stay close to Christ and always be learning from him, especially in times of trouble—by sitting at His feet in prayer, attending Mass, and adoration (22:01).
• Mary is invoked as a patron for those oppressed or needing deliverance (“healed of seven demons”) and as a profound example of repentance and receiving mercy (22:25).

Notable Quotes:

• "We're all sinners." – Taylor Kemp (22:43)
• "And to receive that as good news, like, this is news that will change your life." – Dr. Akers (22:44)

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Main Takeaways (22:01–22:56)

• Closeness to Christ: Mary Magdalene models the life of a true disciple—drawn to Christ’s feet, drinking in His teachings, and responding with repentance and service.
• Mission After Encounter: “Mission flows from identity”—Mary’s transformation leads her to witness and proclaim Christ’s Resurrection.
• Intercessor for Deliverance: As one who was delivered from seven demons, she is a powerful intercessor for those suffering oppression or struggling with repentance.
• Repentance & Mercy: Her life exemplifies profound repentance and the boundless mercy available in Christ—a key message for all Christians.

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Saints’ Inspiration & Variety: 02:00–04:24
• Who is Mary Magdalene? 05:20–07:52
• Luke 7–8, The Anointing: 07:06–09:57
• Mary Magdalene’s Identity Debate: 11:24–13:25
• Mary at Jesus' Feet (Bethany Connection): 13:15–16:59
• The Anointing Before the Passion: 18:05–19:29
• At the Cross and Empty Tomb: 19:29–20:34
• Main Spiritual Applications: 22:01–22:56

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "She recognizes that he's the one bringing the good news. And what's the good news? It's forgiveness." – Dr. Akers (07:38)
• "[Mary Magdalene] is always listed first ... giving prominence. Similar to how Peter is always listed first in the list of apostles." – Dr. Akers (11:50)
• "Mary is a great example…when we're close to Christ, we sit at his feet, we receive his life, we receive his teaching, we fall in love with him. The response of that is, then we're sent out to share that." – Taylor Kemp (20:34)
• "Mary's the one who chose the better part. Why is Mary not on the liturgical calendar?" – Dr. Akers (21:00)
• "Stay close to Christ. Always be learning from him. Whenever we have trouble, anxiety, go to him, sit at his feet to learn his teaching." – Dr. Akers (22:01)

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Closing

This episode deftly weaves theological insight with personable discussion, highlighting Mary Magdalene’s scriptural, historical, and spiritual importance. Whether or not one agrees with the identification of Mary Magdalene and Mary of Bethany, her example as a repentant sinner transformed by grace, a faithful disciple, and the first herald of the Resurrection remains a powerful testament for every Christian.

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St. Mary Magdalene, pray for us! (22:56)

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[All timestamps MM:SS; Speakers identified by initials: B = Taylor Kemp, C = Dr. Ben Akers]

Transcript

[A]

Hi, I'm James Prothero, associate professor at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology. We hope you've enjoyed listening to and learning from our professors on this and all our podcasts. The Augustine Institute Graduate School exists to make Christ and his church better known and loved through the exercise of academic study. With St. Augustine as our guide, we focus on the narrative of Scripture and the evangelization of the culture. Faculty and students alike immerse themselves in the rich sources of the Catholic faith, drawing upon sacred Scripture, the catechism of the Catholic Church, and the writings of the fathers and doctors of the church. We have 550 students and over a thousand alumni serving the church in parishes, dioceses, schools, the academy apostolates, the domestic church, and even the secular world. With master's degrees in theology, pastoral theology, Catholic education, and Biblical Studies, our programs are for anyone looking to go deeper in their faith. Are you interested in studying theology with the professors of this podcast? Earn your degree online or on campus in St. Louis, Missouri. Apply now for the coming term of study. Learn more at augustine. Edu.

[B]

You're listening to a podcast on Catholic saints. This podcast is produced by the Augustine Institute, an apostolate helping Catholics understand, live, and share their faith. Hello and welcome to form Now. I'm Taylor Kemp. With me is Dr. Ben Akers. Dr. Ben Akers. We're talking about St. Mary Magdalene today.

[C]

Yeah. I love this series that we've been doing on Catholic saints. And people have responded to. They've. They've appreciated getting to know the saints. These are our older brothers and sisters in Christ alive in Christ in heaven,

[B]

transformed by the love of God.

[C]

Transformed by the love of God. And I always find it edifying growing up. Edifying, going through the different lives of the saints.

[B]

I agree.

[C]

And every time I read the lives of the saints, I'm like, that's amazing.

[B]

Yep.

[C]

Because they are so creative in the way that they live out faith, hope, and charity.

[B]

Yep.

[C]

And we all have the same three virtues infused to us by God. Orient us to God. A gift given to us at baptism. And everyone's creative in how they live it out. The saints are.

[B]

Well, yes. I remember listening for the first time to. We have an audio Drama on St. Francis of Assisi, which eventually led me to choose him as my confirmation saint. I remember listening to Story being like, this is amazing. Like, it's so cool. There was. There were so many ways in which I related to it, and then I. But I do remember just being like, his time's a little different than ours. And then Recognizing, you know, as the church teaches, that God is continually give, helping people live out faith, open charity in the time in which they actually find themselves. And that, like, God is working for that time. That's why the saints are inspiring. But it'll look different in our lives.

[C]

Did you choose St. Francis because he played Calcho?

[B]

I don't know what that is. Soccer.

[C]

It's time for soccer, man.

[B]

Did he actually.

[C]

No, they didn't. Soccer.

[B]

I was going to say a pride existed.

[C]

Yeah. Probably they kicked something, a leather ball or something around. Yeah.

[B]

No, honestly, the reason I liked it was because at the time, I was playing professional soccer. And I read. I read into the breach the apostolic exhortation from Archbishop Olmstead. Archbishop Olmstead. And he talks about some, like, great, heroic male saints. And he talked about St. Francis. And he said one of the particular things about Francis was that he gathered a group of men around him and. And they all supported each other, and eventually that would become the Franciscans. And I remember, like, hey, I'm surrounded by a group of men all the time because of my soccer team. And so I remember just really, like, I. I just liked that. Like, I liked that Francis was like, how can I get other guys to do this kind take on this way of life with me? And I remember looking around and be like, I'm surrounded by a bunch of guys. I gotta figure out how I can get them to take on this life with me. Uh, and then, like, there was some really. There were some ways in which that actually happened, which was really beautiful. So I read that was inspired by that particular. Not the. Did you say coucho Gaucho?

[C]

Calc. Calcho.

[B]

Calcho. Didn't. Wasn't that. And then. And then I listened to the audio drama by the recommendation of a friend. And then now he's my confirmation saint.

[C]

And now you're working at apostolate. Yes, Catholic apostolate.

[B]

Now I'm working on this dream can

[C]

be yours as well, if you.

[B]

Surprisingly, professional soccer.

[C]

And then now working at a.

[B]

You find yourself playing professional soccer, you too can work at the Augustine Institute. Yeah, dreams come true.

[C]

We take professional athletes. So. Yeah, true.

[B]

There was actually a really great moment I had just left, like, the third lecture of Dr. Barber's On Pauline Epistles, St. Paul's Letters. And I remember thinking to myself, I would give anything to work here. True story.

[C]

Well, thank you for giving your right arm. I know you didn't need it because you're left. Needed. Wow, that's really cool. I didn't know that part of the story.

[B]

Yeah, it's a good story. It's a good story.

[C]

It's beautiful. Well, one of the saints, a beautiful saint that we're going to talk about

[B]

today, St. Mary Magdalene.

[C]

St. Mary Magdalene. She's one of my favorites. I actually named one of my daughters after her. So her middle name is Marie Madeleine. So the French version of Mary Magdalene. And yeah, her feast day is July 22nd. Her feast was. She's had been in the news, the church news more recently because her feast day was raised from an optional memorial to a feast day. So it's full on feast day. So it's one to celebrate.

[B]

It is. She is one to celebrate. I would say she's one of the more well known.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Like a lot of people have heard of Mary Magdalene.

[C]

The question is, who is, who is Mary Magdalene? Yeah, we have her in the Gospels. I like to go to the first passage that I go to. So some of this is speculation. So the early church fathers, when they're writing and they're reading the scriptures and reading the scriptures, they will. Kind of the biggest kind of question mark is, is Mary Magdalene the same as Mary Bethany? I think she is. And I'm going to make an argument for that. But there's so many Marys that you get to the Gospels, you're like, wait, okay, there's Mary, the mother of Jesus, there's Mary Magdalene, there's Mary Bethany, there's Mary, the wife of so and so, and then there's Mary. So you go through and. Which is actually kind of a fun external proof that we did not make this up.

[B]

Yeah. Because you're like, this was. This would be bad storytelling.

[C]

This was Mary and this was.

[B]

You're like, when you get to the cross in John, you're like, how many Marys are we talking?

[C]

Okay, there's going to be two James's close friends. And. And it's beautiful to see when you, you know, because it's true and they related who these people really were as historical figures. But these names, especially the apostles, remind us of the heroes of the Maccabees. Really shows like the Maccabees. Simon, John, Judas, Judas. Yep. Judas Maccabeus. Yep. So, yeah. So Mary Magdalene. So the first time we actually get introduced to Mary Magdalene is in Luke chapter eight. Okay, so where she's first mentioned, but right before that, in Luke chapter seven, we have the story of the Gospel of Luke is telling about a sinner, a woman of the city. This is Luke chapter 7. And Jesus is dining at a Pharisee's house named Simon. Not the Simon Peter, but a Pharisee named Simon. And she arrives with an alabaster flask of ointment to anoint Christ. And look at how Luke describes the scene. So I'm in Luke chapter 7. My Bible's falling apart. Luke chapter 7, verse 37. Behold a woman of the city who was a sinner. She learned that Jesus was sitting at table at the Pharisees house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment standing beside him, behind him, at his feet, weeping. She began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with ointment. Is there a particular word that jumps out of you, out at you, at that passage? Oh, that's repeated often.

[B]

Okay, let's see. I don't know.

[C]

For me.

[B]

Yeah, go ahead.

[C]

It was feet.

[B]

Okay, There is a lot of feet.

[C]

There's a lot of feet, right? And so this is, you know, this is dusty roads, dirty roads, they're walking. And then Jesus says, look, you know, when I came and showed up at your house later, later in the story, he's like, you didn't anoint my feet, you didn't wash me, you didn't anoint my head, you didn't greet me. And yet she hasn't stopped kissing my feet since she, since she arrived. And he gives this beautiful parable about those who've been forgiven much will love much. But why is this woman so. That's Luke chapter seven. Why is this woman so focused on the feet of Christ? And my theory that I reading scripture is that she's remembering the prophecy of Isaiah, chapter 52. Okay, so Isaiah 40:66, the second half of Isaiah, is called the, the book of consolation because it begins, comfort, comfort my people. It's the beginning of good news. So Book of woe, chapters one through 39. Now we're in the book of Good news. And one of the good news is how beautiful are the feet of him who brings the gospel. And what's the gospel in Isaiah 52? That God is reigning, that God is returning, that God has forgiven the sins of his people. And so this is my theory is that this woman that I think is Mary Magdalene is wiping and anointing the feet of Christ. She recognizes, she recognizes that he's the one bringing the good news. And what's the good news? It's forgiveness. And he's, you know, she's Much, who has been, you know, forgiven much, will love much so the reason that then we think that this might be Mary Magdalene, and, you know, we're in good company. St. Gregory the Great, Pope, St. Gregory the Great was one of these. Is at the very time that we get introduced to Mary Magdalene as a character in the Gospels is in Luke chapter eight. So after this scene in Luke chapter eight, soon afterward, he went on through the cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. So he's bringing the gospel. And the 12 were with him. So the 12 apostles. And also were some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities. Mary called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out. Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna and many others who provided for them out of their means. So it's a beautiful. We get a snapshot of what Jesus ministry looks like as he's going town to town. He's actually going with the 12 apostles and many women who are supporting them and in this role. So it's a beautiful image. And Mary Magdalene is listed here as one of the people that have followed Christ and that seven demons had gone out of her. So this. Yeah, this. Yeah, go ahead.

[B]

Well, I was going to push back a little bit.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Okay. So I like the theory. I'm going to. I'll start there. That this woman recognizing that in Jesus person, the kingdom is coming, that he's bringing mercy, she responds by going to the feet of the one that's bringing the good news. However, wasn't it also customary to clean one's feet for a servant to clean one's feet when they entered into a home?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

So, like, is it also like she, she. First of all, I'm actually.

[C]

You're supporting the. Yeah. By saying that she's doing an act of service.

[B]

She is.

[C]

And then she followed. Then she becomes following Jesus and doing acts of service.

[B]

That's true. But also, when I first read this and you asked me what. What stuck out to you? Actually, what stuck out to me rather than like an actual word, I was like, she just came into this person's house and just started cleaning his feet. Like, the boldness of level of service is like, absolutely astounding. Like, she has thrown out and like, you know, it sounds like she's had a really hard life. She has thrown out every concern with what people think of her, which is like, such a necessary thing to really give one's heart entirely over to Christ. So she's a admirable model of that. But so, like. Yeah, actually, I guess that would actually support what you're saying, that she. She recognizing something in him, that she wants to fall at his feet and serve him. I was just thinking, like, that's a customary thing to do, rather than she simply is living out the Old Testament passage in a way that is not customary. I guess I was just thinking these things are congruent with each other.

[C]

Well, and so this actually. So this is the connection between Luke 7 and Luke 8. The close connection between those two stories is what led the early church fathers to connect these two women. Not all agree on that. So I'm not saying this is a theory. I'm just gonna argue my theory.

[B]

Speculative theology.

[C]

I have the microphone. But then we get to know her as Mary Magdalene. And actually, when the women are listed, if you read the rest of the Gospels, when the women that come and serve and follow Jesus are listed, she's always listed first.

[B]

Interesting. Which was a way of giving prominence.

[C]

Giving prominence. So similar to like Peter is always listed first in the list of apostles. Now, what does Magdalene mean? Well, we do. We discovered archeologically a town in the north, sorry, the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee, called Magdala. So it could have been that she was from that town of Magdala. Another possibility is that the Jewish rabbinical comment found in the Talmud. So interpretation, Jewish interpretation of the Scriptures said that Magdalene euphemistically referred to like, so a curling of one's hair, euphemistically to prostitute.

[B]

Right.

[C]

So this is kind of one interpretation. Another possibility is that the Aramaic title, which means great or magnificent. So she'd be Mary the Great or magnificent. And these are according to the French historian Henri Daniel Ropes. And as he's looking at the passage, he thought that it was a playful. Magdalene is a playful corruption of the Aramaic word for perfume. So Mary, she becomes Mary the perfumer or Mary's employment. Yeah. Okay, so those are all different theories about why the Magdalene.

[B]

Are you sticking with the.

[C]

Well, so I think so. Then to push another theory is I think that Mary Magdalene is Mary of Bethany. And we meet Mary of Bethany in Luke's gospel, and she is the sister. So Mary of Bethany is a sister of Martha and the sister of Lazarus. So this holy family of Bethany, you have Mary Martha.

[B]

Why would they. Why would. If in the Gospel of Luke, she has been called Mary of Magdalene? Mary Magdalene, Mary of Magdala, Why then to switch to Mary of Bethany?

[C]

Well, he doesn't call her Mary Bethany. We just know that that's the town in which they live. So we say like, oh, that's the Mary from Bethany. I have an idea about that. It could be that if Magdalene. So maybe she's from Bethany and then she leaves her family, goes to be a prostitute. Right. Or live a different life in Magdala. She comes back to her home and she reclaims kind of where she's from. That's one theory that I think is plausible. But if we look at the story of Mary Magdalene and Martha and Lazarus. So I'm not the only one out there that's kind of proposing this. But I'm gonna make the argument is the next time that we see Mary in the story that Mary Bethany is at a dinner. So we meet her. Luke 7 dinner, Luke 8. She's walking around serving Christ and others, and she's at a dinner, and she's at the house of her sister Martha. Is that famous story where Martha is preparing the meal and where is Mary sitting? This is Luke 10:39. At his feet. Yeah. So I think that one of the clues to read this is why one of my. This is why I hold to this view, is that we always see Mary at the feet of Christ. So she's at the feet of Christ, and Martha tries to bring Jesus into a family dispute. Hey, Lord, you tell her. You tell my sister. Get her to come and help me with the dishes. Yeah, I love that. He's like, how should we tell the Lord? Like, you need to do this, Lord. Yeah, like, as if he doesn't know,

[B]

Lord, you need to tell this other person to do a little bit more.

[C]

Yes, exactly. We tell the Lord what to do. And I love that line. Martha, Martha, you're troubled and anxious about many things, but one thing is needful, and Mary has chose the better part. So the better part is to sit at the feet of Jesus, who is the good news of the Father. And what's he doing? He's preaching, he's teaching. So she's at the feet and is connected to the gospel. It's connected to good news.

[B]

Can I actually give a nice little plug that this is an argument that Brant Petrie made. He has a book called Introduction to the Spiritual Life. And he talks about the scene and how through the church fathers particularly use that line of Christ. You're worried about many things. One thing is necessary. She has chosen the better portion of that. That's prayer, contemplative prayer. Like that's been tied to that often. But what's fascinating that I had never heard anyone else make this argument is Dr. Petrie notes that the Lord does Not rebuke her for her action. It's for doing her action in anxiety. I was like, that's a fascinating thing to think about.

[C]

Oh, that's beautiful. Yeah, I haven't gotten to that part yet. It's a wonderful book, though. Introduction to the spiritual life by Dr. Brian Petrie. I do remember a quote from St. Jose Maria Escriva where he says that, yeah, Martha's not rebuked for doing the dishes, preparing the meal. She hasn't listened to Christ while she's doing the dishes.

[B]

And she's distracted. That's the other thing is it says you're distracted and anxious about many things.

[C]

Yeah. So we can find Christ among the pots and pans. That's kind of a famous saying of Teresa Vela, to find Christ among the pots and pans.

[B]

Yep.

[C]

So we do that.

[B]

No, that's great.

[C]

No. So we can presume that Mary chose the better portion the rest of her life.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And the next time we see Mary and Martha and Lazarus is in John. When their brother Lazarus passes away, word is sent to Christ and he comes and Lazarus has already passed. And that's a beautiful scene in John 11. But look at how consistent it is with John's portrayal of the story, with Luke's telling of the story. So if this is the same Mary and Martha and Lazarus from Luke 10, it is. Okay. We didn't even hear about Lazarus in Luke 10, John 11. He's in the tomb. He's dead. Right. So but who goes out to meet Christ and like, demand that he do something in the story of John 11?

[B]

Mary.

[C]

No, it's Martha.

[B]

Oh, it's Martha.

[C]

Martha. Lord.

[B]

Mary stays home.

[C]

Yeah. So, Lord, if you would have done something, if you would have been here, he would not have died. And then the beautiful exchange. I'm. The resurrection life. It really is beautiful. And Mary's back contemplating. He says, go get Mary. And then Mary comes. So Mary's used to be waiting for Christ to call her, and then she responds. And then they had a beautiful resurrection scene. So, you know, foreshadowing his own impending resurrection, death, and then resurrection from the death, dead. So then a week before we have Jesus's death and resurrection, Mary anoints Christ at a dinner. Again, three of the four evangelists recount. The scene takes place right before Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. So the Eve of palm Sundays. And Mary carries an alabaster flask of pure nard, an ointment, and anoints the entire contents of Christ's head and feet and this is very expensive ointment, a root from India's wages at least. And then her extravagance of loving Christ everyone complains about because like, no, the money could be spent on the poor, right? And Judas is selfish because he steals from the poor. We got this insight that John, that Judas, John tells us that Judas is a thief. But Jesus says no, her action is prophetic because she's preparing me for my burial because his lifeless body will be taken down from the cross and not have a proper burial. And then it's also prophetic. Mary's anointing is also prophetic, is that she foreshadows Christ's complete self offering on the cross. So she spends this entire costly ointment, her life savings upon Christ. In his passion, he's going to pour out his whole and precious life. And the beautiful thing is John, proving that he's an eyewitness of the account, says the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. Jesus death, this precious death will fill the entire world with the beautiful fragrance of the gospel. And Mary's action so important that Jesus says wherever the gospel is preached, what she did for me will be told in memory of her. Yeah, and it's true. We still have this story that's carried down to us today. So Jesus is crucified, is on the cross, who's at his feet? We have John the apostle, Mary, the mother Jesus, Mary Magdalene, she's at his feet when his body is taken down from the cross and they lay him in the tomb where she's probably keeping vigil at his feet right as they're laying the body into the tomb. And then early Sunday morning, early Sunday morning of the Easter Sunday, she goes to give Jesus body a respectful burial it deserves. And she gets, you know, she wants another chance to anoint him. And she comes with her ointments and spices. But she finds the tomb empty. She runs and you know the beautiful encounter of her. Jesus calling her by the name the gardener, Miriam, he calls her, you know, Miriam like and recognize the name, she comes to him. And even if the gospels didn't tell us, we would have been tracking with Mary Magdalene's story. We would have known where, what she would do next when she meets our lord. And Matthew 28:10 says that Jesus greets her and she took hold of his feet and worshiped him. So we see Mary at the feet of Christ and why through and why? Because beautiful are the feet of him who brings the gospel. The good news. She sees the good news of the Resurrection. She had the good news of mercy in her life. And then what does Jesus tell her to do? Go and tell the apostles. And so she's the one now running, and her feet are now beautiful as the one who runs to tell the good news. And we have the beautiful title of Mary called the Apostle to the apostles, the one who brings the good news of the Gospel to the world. And she brings the good news to the apostles, who then bring it to the world.

[B]

Yeah, it's really beautiful working out of. In this woman's life of something that is true for each one of us, which is that, you know, like you've heard the phrase of mission flows from identity. But that recognizing that, like, when we're close to Christ, we sit at his feet, we receive his life, we receive his teaching, we fall in love with him. That the response of that is, then we're sent out to share that. And that Mary is a great example of that. This is a good argument.

[C]

Okay, so the argument against that would be. So argument before was. So we never had the feast day of Mary of Bethany on the calendar, liturgical calendar. So the liturgical argument would be, we have Mary Magdalene on July 22, we have Martha on July 29, but there's no Mary of Bethany. But Mary's the one who chose the better part. Why is Mary not on the liturgical calendar? To remedy that, Pope Francis actually added to Martha's feast day on July 29, Mary of Bethany and Lazarus. So an argument against it would be like, well, he's saying that she isn't. However, to that, I say, well, she can have more than one feast. There are apostles that have more than one feast. Mary has lots of feasts. Mary, the mother of Jesus, Peter has more than one feast. John the Baptist has more than one feast.

[B]

Paul's conversion has a feast.

[C]

Paul's conversion has a feast. Mary, the apostle to the apostles, she has more than one feast.

[B]

I like it. All right, so what are some main takeaways? I mean, you've talked about that, but to kind of tie a bow on this, what are some main takeaways that we can learn, gain from, or pray to St Mary Magdalene for?

[C]

Yeah. Stay close to Christ. Stay close to always be learning from him. Whenever we have trouble, anxiety, go to him, sit at his feet to learn his teaching. And we get his teaching through going to Mass and hearing the word of God proclaimed from receiving him in the Eucharist by going to Eucharistic adoration. Mary Magdalene would be an example of someone who was tormented by seven demons. And was healed of that. So to pray for those who are oppressed and for her intercession for those who are oppressed by demons. And if we were oppressed by demons to ask her special grace through Christ's power of his blood to drive out demons in our life. I think example of repentance. We're all sinners. That's right. Yeah.

[B]

And she would be grateful in his mercy.

[C]

His mercy, repentance and to know and to receive that as good news like this is news that will change your life. Yeah.

[B]

I like it. Thank you.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

It's a good argument.

[C]

Thanks.

[B]

St. Mary Magdalene.

[C]

Pray for us.

[B]

Pray for us. You can watch these interviews in video format by visiting formed.org formed is an online Catholic streaming service created by the Augustine Institute and Ignatius Press with award winning studies and parish programs, inspiring audio content, movies, ebooks and family friendly kids programming to support the mission of the Augustine institute. Please visit missioncircle.org SAM.