Happy Mary Magdala Feast Day – Situated in the Story
Rev. Jim Ryan, Ph.D.
July 19, 2026
Today in the French town of St. Maximin of the Holy Grotto, an outdoor procession was held that started at the cathedral church. Complete with full liturgical trappings, the central focus of the procession is on a gold-encased human skull. Scientists have determined that the skull is most likely that of a woman from the 1st century (or so), aged between 50 and 90, and of Mediterranean origin.
Believers say this is the skull of Mary Magdala. The oral tradition is that she, her brother Lazarus, and sister, Martha (I thought Mary was from Magdala and Lazarus, Mary, and Martha were from Bethany?) escaped persecution of the first followers of Jesus by boarding a boat without oars or sails only to run aground on the shores of the seaside Mediterranean town of Sainte Marie of the Sea.
Let me stop here to call attention to the fact that this oral history did not get written down until 1300 years after that boat, allegedly, hit dry ground. If you are only a little suspicious of the factual account of this, then you may also wonder at the spiritual target this sea town became when, in the 15th century, relics of Mary Clopas and Mary of Salome also washed ashore. Remember these three women, the 3 Marys, were all present at Jesus’ crucifixion or at his tomb or both.
Why tell this story? And why this morning? I’ll answer with a question, “Where would you rather be this morning – a small town in France processing behind a skull that may or may not be the skull of Mary Magdala, or would you rather be at Hawthorne Glen – physically or on zoom – situated in the story of this community? I think I know the answer.
Let’s think what it means to be situated in our own story – a community at prayer and committed to service, advancing the common good. This story we share has many layers, prayer and service being only two. When we situate ourselves here, we include bonds of friendship with folks we, likely, did not know 16 years ago when we began. The story has ups and downs, ins and outs, grief and joy. When we situate ourselves within this story of Mary Magdala Community isn’t it fascinating how love and the concerns of love rise to the surface; and how satisfying it is that dogmas. doctrines, and exclusions are reduced in importance.
Recently, I came across this phrase, “situate oneself within the story,” in an article titled, “Memory, Eternity, and Baseball.” The author’s homage to baseball satisfies every baseball fan’s soul who loves the game for the story of it rather than for the stats and the metrics. One way for humans to express devotion is by loving and curating stories. I will always be thankful that I had the opportunity to teach my sister how to fill out a scorecard. Lines and boxes, position numbers, and
Happy Mary Magdala Feast Day – Situated in the Story
Rev. Jim Ryan
forward or backward Ks were not just indicators of an arcane language to keep the record of a baseball game. They were, instead, a way to remember and preserve the story that marks the fan’s love of the game.
On May 30, 1977 at Cleveland’s Municipal Stadium, in the presence of 13,400 attendees Mary and I were part of no-hit history. The Indians played the Angels that night. Dennis Eckersley pitched for the Indians and delivered the one and only no-hitter of his career. The scorecards were left unfilled that night because it became pretty clear that that game was a rare occurrence in the history of the Cleveland Indians. We were caught up in the game. Mary and I have been situated in this story for 49 years.
For the past 16 years we have been situated in the story of Mary Magdala Community. In our prayer we often give thanks for the bonds of relationships, the acts of service, and the demands of justice that occur because this community exists. They are just the kinds of things that contribute to the common good. And advancing this common good makes it easy to choose being here rather than processing in a small town in the south of France behind a gold encased human skull – although the south of France does sound like a picturesque place to visit.
In his book, “The Common Good and Christian Ethics,” David Hollenbach says this about community relationships and the good lives that make them happen:
“If we overlook these bonds of relationships, the goods of the
relationships themselves will not be part of the picture of the common
good…. A key aspect of the common good can be described as the good
of being a community at all – the good realized in the mutual relationships
in and through which human beings achieve their well-being.”
So, while we may not all be baseball fans, we have situated ourselves within the story of this community. Being thus situated, we strive for well-being especially when it reflects the relationship between Mary Magdala and the Resurrected Christ. May we ever appreciate the implication of her message, “I have seen the Teacher.” (John 20:18)
It means to care for our own, especially Don Timmermann, Bill Lange, and Donna Maccani a care that carries out the love of Jesus. As Don often reminds us, it all comes down to the command, “Love one another.”
A Prayer (JR)
Holy Redeemer Christ, you chose Mary Magdala to be your first witness to Resurrection, so that she would preach your message as the Apostle to the Apostles. By her guidance and her leadership we also accompany You, especially for those who suffer from illnesses of the mind and spirit. May we have the courage of Mary as she rose above confrontations with other Apostles to speak your Truth.
All Holy One, be the light on our path to transform this world which is in such need of equality, justice and peace. We pray in the glory of your Name. Amen.
