The Magdalene’s Blessing


Image: The Blessing Cups: Jesus and Mary Magdalene at Tea
© Jan L. Richardson

Blessings to you on this eve of the Feast of Mary Magdalene! Earlier this year, at the Women’s Convocation in Bellevue, Washington—a marvelous gathering whose speakers included Sr. Helen Prejean and Clarissa Pinkola Estés—I had the opportunity to speak on the theme of “Illuminating the Threshold.” Mary Magdalene, whose story is so associated with thresholds, easily found her way into my talk. As Gary and I traveled across the country for the convocation, I composed a blessing inspired by the Magdalene’s encounter with Jesus on Easter morning. I offered the blessing to those who came to my talk—those who, like me, find themselves fascinated by threshold spaces and the invitations they hold.

As we celebrate the Magdalene’s feast day (July 22), I offer this blessing to you. Wherever you are, whatever threshold you are on or are approaching, may courage and grace attend you.

The Magdalene’s Blessing

You hardly imagined
standing here,
everything you ever loved
suddenly returned to you,
looking you in the eye
and calling your name.

And now
you do not know
how to abide this ache
in the center
of your chest,
where a door
slams shut
and swings open
at the same time,
turning on the hinge
of your aching
and hopeful heart.

I tell you,
this is not a banishment
from the garden.

This is an invitation,
a choice,
a threshold,
a gate.

This is your life
calling to you
from a place
you could never
have dreamed,
but now that you
have glimpsed its edge,
you cannot imagine
choosing any other way.

So let the tears come
as anointing,
as consecration,
and then
let them go.

Let this blessing
gather itself around you.

Let it give you
what you will need
for this journey.

You will not remember
the words—
they do not matter.

All you need to remember
is how it sounded
when you stood
in the place of death
and heard the living
call your name.

© Jan Richardson

2017 update: This blessing appears in my book Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings for the Seasons.

P.S. The Hours of Mary Magdalene is a video that my singer/songwriter husband and I produced, intertwining my series of images inspired by the life and legends of the Magdalene with his gorgeous and haunting song, “Mary Magdalena.” Please note that if you click the Vimeo logo in the player below (in the bottom right corner), it will take you directly to a larger version of the video.

For a previous reflection on the Feast of Mary Magdalene, click the image or title below.

At Her Prayers: Mary Magdalene with a Book of Hours
Feast of Mary Magdalene

And don’t miss…

Gary and I have created an Art + Faith page on Facebook, where we’re currently featuring the remarkable artwork of our friends who teach with us in the Liturgical Arts Weeks at the amazing Grünewald Guild. We would love for you to stop by, “like” the page, and be part of the creative conversation that’s unfolding there. And be sure to check out this summer’s Liturgical Arts Weeks at the Guild. We have just a few spots left—does one of them have your name on it? For a glimpse of the Guild, visit this post: Where Heaven and Earth Meet.


Liturgical Arts Week at the Grünewald Guild

7 Responses to "The Magdalene’s Blessing"

  1. Heather McVoy says:

    Jan, all of this is perfectly lovely. As you know, Mary Magdalene is very special to me, especially at the Resurrection in John, which you captured so well in feeling and wonder. This has been a special day for me for a long time, and a gift from you is a special blessing.

    Thank you, God bless and love,

    Heather

    (p.s. note the change of email address)

  2. Sally H. Jackson says:

    This is exactly what I needed to receive today
    miraculous
    thank you

  3. Ivonne Davila says:

    In perusing several websites I came across yours Jan- as the day was coming to a close on 11:50pm July 22nd- and read Magdalene’s Blessing! Simply stated– WOW! All day today I felt a stirring in my heart as if something was going to happen or I should know about. Actually have been feeling like this for quite some time now. I read the blessing and it felt as if a door had been opened just as the prayer says. Now I must try and decipher what my nest step will be. I recently had knee surgery to repair a badly torn meniscus disk and as such have been homebound for the past two months. Have one more month left before I return to work. Much time on my hands to play with. Anyways, thanks for your writings . I wish you the best. Ivonne

  4. micki rios says:

    Thank you for this precious insight into Mary Magdalene; the music/words and pictures reminded me how much I love being part of a Christian tradition that honors women as Christ certainly honored them.
    Micki Rios

  5. Vickey Haran says:

    Just loved everything you had to say about Mary Magdalen., To me she is the woman because of her great unselfish love Jesus chose to announce his Resurrection to his closest followers., Finally she is being recognized for who she is. Thank you for making her known to us in a whole new and beautiful light. Would love to get your presentation to the LCWR., only learned about you today and the wonderful person you are. Bless you and may you continue to be a blessing to so many people.m
    In Faith and Love
    Sr. Vickey Haran, CHF

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