Magdalene and the Man who Made Her?
Recently I was reminded of an age-old claim, used by liberals to justify hatred of Christianity; that the concept of Mary Magdalene as a prostitute was allegedly promulgated by Pope St. Gregory the Great in the 6th century AD. Of course when one attempts to debate that accusation, the opposing side clams up and claims that they don't have time or energy to debate because, simply, "it's true". But is it?
In point of fact, Gregory did not "proclaim" Mary Magdalene to be the woman taken in adultery from Luke's gospel, he was echoing an interpretation of unidentified people from the Gospels which was already prevalent at that time in history. There are several unnamed people who play roles in the Gospel story, and scholars have been debating who was who ever since the Scriptures were first compiled. Gregory does address Magdalene as having been the woman taken in adultery, however he also identifies her as the woman who had 7 demons cast out of her, as well as the woman who washed Jesus' feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. It is important to note that Gregory was not defining a doctrine or dogma in this, but he was writing and preaching about attitudes that had developed in the church at that time.
Far from just demoting Magdalene to the position of a reformed prostitute, Gregory was in point of fact trying to elevate Mary Magdalene to a position of nobility and reverence. He used what he interpreted as her story in order to chide those in the church who had entered holy service for political or personal gain; telling them that their lip service to God no matter how much, paled in comparison to the love which Mary Magdalene showed to Christ in her reformed life after having encountered him. He was using Magdalene as a rallying cry for the church, encouraging people to truly fall in love with Christ and his teachings; so that we ourselves will imitate (what he perceived to be) her great acts of devotion for Christ based out of Love, rather than merely duty. Far from attempting to "remove Mary from the narrative", Gregory actually reinforced an even deeper (if factually incorrect) narrative that made Mary Magdalene even MORE essential to the Easter Narrative.
The more you truly read and understand Gregory's sermon that references Mary Magdalene (Homily 33), you will understand that Gregory the Great had deep, reverent respect for Mary Magdalene. To use her as an example of pure, true love for Christ in opposition to the career-clergy who were filling church positions: this showed a level of respect which modern liberal historians don't even have for her. Contrary to what the world claims the church has said of Magdalene, prior to the rise of evangelical Christianity and Atheism; no one viewed Mary Magdalene as "just that prostitute". If that were the case, then there would not be so many churches and religious orders throughout the world who hold her as their patron saint. No, the church never lost reverence and respect for Mary of Magdala. It is the world which lost respect for what the church has tried to accomplish through elevating her from minor footnote in the Gospels, to a central figure in the Easter Narrative.
Saint Mary Magdalene, your name and image have changed many times throughout the history of mankind and the church. Yet what remains is the pure and holy love which you held for Christ and His Divine truth. Help us that we may likewise show that same love for Christ, which inspired you to live your life for Him.
Amen.
