Today I went with a group of Sisters to view the exhibition Maria Magdalena at the Catharijn Convent, the museum of Dutch Christianity.
“Who is Mary to you ?” That was the question asked at the end of this exhibition prompting introspection and reflection. Seeing Mary from different angles represented by the church’s opinions at different times, extra-biblical writings, art through the ages including contemporary music and song provokes and challenges inner thoughts. This, in addition to the intra-biblical confusion of Mary of Magdala and Mary of Bethany.
Who is Mary to me? I could easily have answered ‘Apostle of Apostles’ as when I present her as the first and chosen bearer of the news of new life- Resurrection! “Jesus is alive!” But then she’s more.
I looked t the Dutch artist’s contemporary painting- I need to check his name again. He continues to break the stereotypes. Mary sits in a place of power, enigmatic looking, sort of reclining in a powerful position with her legs not crossed but powerfully set apart.
Oh yes, Mary is more- a repentant sinner, a lover of Jesus, a portrait of new life… so, I found y way to answer in the poem below.
Mary, Mary, quite contrary:
who are you really?
Apostle of Apostles
for indeed he sent you first
to tell the men and others
to step out
from unsatisfying self-sufficiency
into God’s possibility
repenting
restarting
resetting
renewing and cleansing
comfort and healing
rest in reclining
and reaching
accepting, fulfilling
and reaching a place
of enabling peace
abundance and power
in God.