“Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer.” This song by the famous Nat King Cole has been on my mind lately. The three adjectives, lazy, hazy and crazy are pretty good descriptors of my summer so far. Yesterday was the feast day of Mary Magdalen. As I contemplated her inspirational life it seemed to me that crazy, hazy and lazy, were fairly good descriptors of her life too.
Crazy: Mary’s life surely was crazy for she was possessed by seven demons! Luke tells us in 8:2 that Jesus came and freed her from this satanic bondage. After her liberation, she becomes one of Jesus’ most devoted disciples.
Hazy: Things become cloudy and confusing for Mary Magdalen and all of Jesus’ followers when their leader is arrested, beaten and killed. Most run away and hide. Even though Mary did not fully understand, she remains faithful, staying with her crucified Lord, even to his burial site.
Lazy? No way! Who got up early in the morning while it was still dark to go to Jesus’ tomb? Who ran to tell apostles the good news that Jesus has risen? Mary was not slothful, but a passionate, fervent follower of Jesus.
Mary of Magdala, please pray with us:
Lord, help us to turn to you for strength, especially when things get crazy. Help us to trust in you when things get hazy and confusing. And Lord, help us to love and serve you with a passionate heart, full of energy and zeal, just as Mary did. Amen.
© Rose of Sharon
