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RE: Theos-World Mary Magdalene

Mar 17, 2004 08:13 AM
by Ali Hassan


From: "Erica Letzerich" <eletzerich@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: theos-talk@yahoogroups.com
To: theos-talk@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Theos-World Mary Magdalene
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2004 11:23:38 -0000

Hi folks,

I am trying to find in the theosophical literature information about
Mary Magdalene, let me know if you have any reference.

Mary Magdalene might have been one of the greatest disciples of
Jesus, but up to this day she still remains a most elusive and
mysterious figure. She has been the subject of many different
theories and myths throughout ecclesiastical history.

The Bible never explicitly says that Mary Magdalene was ever a
prostitute at any point in her life. Luke does not name her in his
narrative about the "penitent whore" who washes the feet of Jesus
with her hair (7:36-50). Nor is she named as the woman who was
caught in the act of adultery and saved from being stoned to death
by Jesus (John 8:1-11). She is identified as once having been demon-
possessed (Luke 8:2). However, the assumption that her sinful past
consisted primarily of sexual sin is a presumption that is not
usually made about the men who are identified as former sinners.
what you write is true. The image we have of her being the reformed prostitute is anecdotal from who-knows-where? But it quite serves the imagery of the "soul reborn" that the Church emphasizes.
The Church is very matri-oriented, (as in Mary the Mother) though, and isn't this something HPB criiticized?

Mary M is referenced briefly in the Gospel of Thomas, usually where the male disciples, Peter especially, are jealous of her for being the"one whom Jesus loved".
In one of the more controversial logions of that work Jesus declares He will make Mary a "male like you males" that she may find and be worthy of the Life, leading to all kinds of modern-day charges of sexism, etc. I think if it's read with even half a S-D eye, one gets a totally different gist.


" The Gospel According to Mary Magdalene
Chapter 4

(Pages 1 to 6 of the manuscript, containing chapters 1 - 3, are
lost. The extant text starts on page 7...)

. . . Will matter then be destroyed or not?

22) The Savior said, All nature, all formations, all creatures exist
in and with one another, and they will be resolved again into their
own roots.

23) For the nature of matter is resolved into the roots of its own
nature alone.

24) He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

25) Peter said to him, Since you have explained everything to us,
tell us this also: What is the sin of the world?

26) The Savior said There is no sin, but it is you who make sin when
you do the things that are like the nature of adultery, which is
called sin.

27) That is why the Good came into your midst, to the essence of
every nature in order to restore it to its root.

28) Then He continued and said, That is why you become sick and die,
for you are deprived of the one who can heal you.

29) He who has a mind to understand, let him understand.

30) Matter gave birth to a passion that has no equal, which
proceeded from something contrary to nature. Then there arises a
disturbance in its whole body.

31) That is why I said to you, Be of good courage, and if you are
discouraged be encouraged in the presence of the different forms of
nature.

32) He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

33) When the Blessed One had said this, He greeted them all,saying,
Peace be with you. Receive my peace unto yourselves.

34) Beware that no one lead you astray saying Lo here or lo there!
For the Son of Man is within you.

35) Follow after Him!

36) Those who seek Him will find Him.

37) Go then and preach the gospel of the Kingdom.

38) Do not lay down any rules beyond what I appointed you, and do
not give a law like the lawgiver lest you be constrained by it.

39) When He said this He departed."


Erica Letzerich

The document you mention is esoteric enough, no matter where it came from, that I find value and interest in it. Calling Christ "The Blessed One" here reminds me of the buddhist scriptures, no?

regards-

Ali

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