DAY 5

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A GREETING
O Lord, all my longing is known to you; my sighing is not hidden from you.
(Psalm 38:9)

A READING
Then Mary wept, and answered him:
“my brother Peter, what can you be thinking? Do you believe that this is just my own imagination, that I invented this vision? Or do you believe that I would lie about our Teacher?” Of this, Levi spoke up: "Peter, you have always been hot tempered, and now we see you repudiating a woman, just as our adversaries do. Yet if the Teacher held her worthy, who are you to reject her? Surely the Teacher knew her very well, for he loved her more than us. Therefore let us a atone, and become fully human, so that the Teacher can take root in us. Let us grow as he demanded of us, and walk forth to spread the gospel, without trying to lay down any rules and laws other than those he witnessed.” When Levi had said these words, they all went forth to spread the gospel.
- from The Gospel of Mary Magdalene, translated by Jean Yves Leloup

MUSIC

A MEDITATIVE VERSE
I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation;
see, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord.
(Psalm 40:9)

A POEM
The crevasse
is deep and impenetrable,
its edges defined by sharp rock.

Its source,
once fed by glacial melt,
has long since dried up.

Wind-sheared trees
stand off on either side,
disfigured by the elements.

An eagle
riding the currents
across the divide

drops a seed
of hope.
- "Schism" by Emma Walton Hamilton, found in "Door to Door"

VERSE OF THE DAY
For wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
(Proverbs 2:10)

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"Magdalene with the Smoking Flame," by Georges de la Tour (c.1640)

Some of the Christians of the early second century called themselves ‘Gnostic,’ which means that they were preoccupied with the spiritual awareness and knowledge that lies in each of us. The Gospel of Mary Magdalene is a gnostic text that was discovered in the late nineteenth century. It offers some storytelling surrounding what the early life of the disciples may have been like.

Today’s reading describes a dilemma we all can relate to. Mary has been sharing private teachings she experienced from Jesus, with Matthew (Levi) and Peter. Peter is reluctant to believe her that they are real teachings. "Do you believe that this is just my own imagination," Mary says, "that I invented this vision?" We can understand the tremendous burden Mary must have felt as she relayed her news on the morning she encountered the risen Jesus. This gospel suggests that the burden might have followed her for years. Though the disciples believe her, and have their own encounters with the risen Jesus, they may not have always believed everything Mary says.

In our own time, when we are living with spiritual, mental and emotional health challenges, we sometimes struggle to convey our experience to others. We may find that even the most supportive loved ones do not fully hear us or “get it.” Disbelief takes many forms: it can be the concrete rejection of story, as in today’s text. But it can also be more subtle, when friends or even medical professionals are not responsive to something we have had the courage to share. In disappointment at those missed cues, we will sometimes revert to the version of ourselves we know others would prefer to see, masking our pain even further to them, and also deepening our isolation.

As the listener, how can we make it easier for those who struggle, so that they know that we believe them, even if we don’t completely understand their dilemma? It can help to start by acknowledging the pain, so that the one who suffers knows they have been heard or seen. "I'm sorry it's hard for you right now." We might also ask if we can be of help. Most of all, we can be present to others through companionship. Simply offering reassurance, love, and a willingness to assist can mean a great deal.

How can Jesus help you listen with a believing heart to the stories of loved ones who are struggling? Who needs your ear and your loving reassurance today to help them be set free?

Image by CoronaViking

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LC† Healing for the Spirit is a project of Lutherans Connect, supported by the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and the Centre for Spirituality and Media at Martin Luther University College. To receive the devotions by email, write to lutheransconnect@gmail.com. The devotional pages are written and curated by Deacon Sherry Coman, with support and input from Pastor Steve Hoffard, Catherine Evenden and Henriette Thompson. Join us on Facebook, and on Twitter. Lutherans Connect invites you to make a donation to the Ministry by going to this link on the website of the ELCIC Eastern Synod and selecting "Lutherans Connect Devotionals" under "Fund". Devotions are always freely offered, however your donations help to support extended offerings throughout the year. Thank you and peace be with you!