Mary Magdalene as the model for the journey of faith and true mission

Abstract

In the Letters and addresses of Pope John Paul II to women, he mentions an "Attempt to promote the cause of women in the Church in today's world". He mentions also in Mulieres Dignitatern that the first eye witnessess of the resurrection in the synoptics are the women and that in John's Gospel "Mary Magdalene was the first witness of the risen Christ, and for this she was also the first to bear witness to Him before the apostles. From this word of the Pope, I was encouraged to write about the women's faith in the Johannine Gospel which we will discuss mainly the figure of Mary Magdalene. I did not discuss much about Mother Mary since we already know her important role in the Church. My purpose in writing this paper is to uplift the women, the importance of their proclaiming the good news which is rooted in the resurrection account of John 20:1-18. This essay is divided into four chapters. In the first chapter, we situate the resurrection account of John 20:1-18 in its general context limiting ourselves to the history and development of Johannine teaching In classifying this framework of Johannine development we look at the structure, composition and aim of the gospel with special reference to the role of Women. The journey of faith as a process is dealt with in the account of Mary Magdalene's gradual realization. We will also make a comparison between the role of women in the resurrection account with the synoptics. Chapter two will give an account of the particular passage in the form of an outline. It will also highlight the significance of Mary Magdalene. Chapter three deals with the theological message where firstly, a link is created between the historical context dealt with in chapter one, with a special reference to the Johannine anti-docetistn This builds a finn foundation on the reality of the resurrection. Secondly, Mary Magdalene will be promoted as the missionary par excellence in her role as first witness of the resurrection (already accounted for in chapter two). In the last chapter, the missionary reflection will stress the significance of the transformation that arises as a result of the journey of Nth-not as instant transformation—hut as a process of recognition. At this stage, we shall draw conclusions that will direct our mission and suggest new ways of viewing what it means to be a missionary.