By Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb
ELCA
(a.k.a. Cinema Cindy)

“Mary Magdalene” in the 2018 film of the same name (on Netflix), describes to Jesus what it felt like when she and her brothers would hold their breaths, as long as they could underwater. Immersed, floating, surrounded, and embraced by calm… “Is that what it feels like to be one with God,” she asks him? This Jesus responds with a gentle smile, “No one has ever asked me that before.”

We hunger to be a part of something bigger than us, to be swept along in a loving embrace, where the one in charge is wise and all loving, one we can truly trust. For people of religious faith, that something is called “the divine.” In Judeo-Christian understanding, the divine is known as creating, redeeming, and sustaining all of us and all of Creation. The divine is also: more faithful than we could ever be, ourselves; more worthy of our trust; more loving of us than we think we deserve. In Jewish and Christian thought, the realm of “the divine” is called “The Reign (Kingdom) of God.” How does it feel to be a part of it?

The Jesus in this 2018 film preaches that The Reign of God is among the people, right here and right now, not someday in the future, but now.

As Mary of Magdala and the male disciples in the film learn, the Reign of God is a new yoke to take on. It will mean throwing off the yoke of what oppresses them (in their day it was Roman oppression). This new yoke leads us to a life of freedom, where wholeness, compassion and healing are the very path itself.

Mary’s deep need to know God drives her to join Jesus’ band of followers. She endures the envy of the men in the group who see her as an interloper, one with whom Jesus confides his concerns. She is present with him and will stay with him through his trials and torturous death. And it is she who meets him again, when he has risen from his tomb.

Mary asks questions and listens. She tells others what Jesus has taught, and she suggests to the disciples, confused by his death, that, “Perhaps we have misunderstood”. Mary reminds them, and us, that “The world will only change as we change.”

Mary of Magdala is known as the “Apostle to the apostles”. so named by Pope Francis in 2016.

Grace and Peace.

Editor’s note: ‘All Shall Be Well’ is a semi-monthly column written by local women clergy (pastors and deacons) including, ELCA Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, M.Div., retired (czoebidd@gmail.com); Nicolé Ferry, Pastor, Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church (pastornicole@bethluth.com); Lynn Finnegan, Assistant Rector, The Episcopal Church of the Holy Faith, Santa Fe (rev.lynn@holyfaithchurchsf.org) and Deb Church, Pastor, White Rock Presbyterian Church (pastor@wrpchurch.com).