July 22 brings us the Feast of Mary Magdalene, a fascinating and prominent New Testament figure. Popular fiction from a culture obsessed with ‘romance’ has cooked up all kinds of ideas about Mary. Yet we have no evidence of any relationship between her and Jesus beyond the platonic. In fact, she may very well have been an older woman of means, who supported Jesus’ ministry out of her resources. And the notion she worked as a prostitute emerges from nothing but the spurious imagination of Pope Gregory the Great.

So little is known about Mary, actually. Was she from the town of Magdala on the Sea of Galilee? Or – and here’s a fascinating possibility – was ‘Magdalene’ a nickname for Mary, from the Hebrew word ‘magdala’, meaning ‘tower’? Maybe Mary was a tall person, or possessed strength of character. Whatever the case, it seems fair to restore her identity to something far better than ‘repentant harlot’ or ‘Jesus’ girlfriend’.

Morning Prayers

To the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Be the honor of heaven and of earth:
Honor without limit,
Glory without equal,
Time without end.

The Magdalene Prayer:

Jesus, our Lord,
With Mary's words, we sometimes cry out,
'They have taken you to a place 
We cannot find and do not know.'

Then, you take shape
In a likeness we did not expect,
In a light we could not see,
In a way they could not govern or control.

Let the eyes of all be open today,
Let the hearts of all be ready,
Let the minds of all perceive,
That all who seek you 
Will find you revealed,
Standing face to face.

Personal prayers for others

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Readings:

As many of these scripture readings as you like can be read throughout the week. Since you won’t be tested on them, feel free to skip any if you prefer to read just a few or even one passage slowly and contemplatively.

Old Testament: Genesis 6

It’s easy to see Genesis 6 and following as ‘Angry God destroys the world.’ But something more is going on here. Creation in Genesis 1 was about creating order from chaos, where the primordial waters covering the earth as an indication of chaos. Now, in Genesis 6, humanity, in its actions, has abandoned order. God will now allow the waters to return from where they are held back. The world will return to a state of chaos, and God will essentially re-create the heavens and earth.

Psalms: Psalm 7
Gospel: Mark 2:1-12; Mark 2:13-17
Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 3

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Prayer of Today’s Requests:

Where there is honor to give you today, may we offer it freely.
Where there is space for reverence today, may we embrace it.
Where there are needs apparent today, may we receive what is necessary.
Where there are challenges arising today, may we be strengthened to meet them.
Where there is suffering we encounter today, may we ease what pain we can. 
Where there are burdens carried today, may we help to bear them.
 

Personal requests for today

Our Father:

Our Father in the unseen realm,
May your name be holy.
Let your kingdom come and your will be done on the earth,
Just as in heaven.
Give us the nourishment we need today
And for our wrongs, forgive us,
As we forgive those who wrong us,
And do not lead us into the test,
But rescue us from evil.
For the kingdom and the power and the glory are yours, 
To the ages of ages.

Evening Prayers

To the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Be the honor of heaven and of earth:
Honor without limit,
Glory without equal,
Time without end.

Prayer of the Gifts:

Blessed are you, Father of Lights,
Who gives to humanity all that is good.
We thank you for your many gifts:
The gift of life and the gift of breath,
The gift of rest and the gift of waking,
The gift of speech and the gift of silence,
The gift of others and the gift of solitude.

Prayer of Tomorrow’s Requests:

Where there is honor to give you tomorrow, may we offer it freely.
Where there is space for reverence tomorrow, may we embrace it.
Where there are needs apparent tomorrow, may we receive what is necessary.
Where there are challenges arising tomorrow, may we be strengthened to meet them.
Where there is suffering we encounter tomorrow, may we ease what pain we can. 
Where there are burdens carried tomorrow, may we help to bear them.

Our Father:

Our Father in the unseen realm,
May your name be holy.
Let your kingdom come and your will be done on the earth,
Just as in heaven.
Give us the nourishment we need today
And for our wrongs, forgive us,
As we forgive those who wrong us,
And do not lead us into the test,
But rescue us from evil.
For the kingdom and the power and the glory are yours, 
To the ages of ages.

Benediction:

If the divine presence seems absent,
And your soul cries out, 'Where is God?'
May your question be answered
And peace be found.

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