HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-04-14, Page 19THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2005. PAGE 19.
From the Minister’s Study
Mary Magdalene in
‘The Da Vinci Code’
By Rev. Eugen Bannerman
Blyth United Church
Dan Brown’s novel, The Da Vinci
Code, has had an effect on millions
of people worldwide. It has put Mary
Magdalene back at the centre stage
of the Easter drama, right where she
was on Easter Sunday.
Dan Brown thinks Mary
Magdalene was more than just a
disciple. He believes she was the
wife and close companion of Jesus.
But the gospels are silent about
any conjugal relationship.
This does not deter Brown. He
suggests the early church fathers
were threatened by the prominence
Jesus gave to the women disciples.
So they suppressed some of the early
writings that honoured the role of
Mary Magdalene and other women
in the church.
In the last century, some of these
“lost scriptures” have been found,
including^ The Gospel of Mary
Magdalene. It did not make it into
the New Testament because of its
strange, mystical teachings. And
because it was composed about 150
years after Easter, and not by an
eyewitness.
Here is an excerpt from the Gospel
of Mary Magdalene. It shows that
the early church fathers had
difficulty with women in the church
right from Easter Sunday. The
opposition from the men to the
women is put in the mouth of the
disciples.
Do you think this gospel suggests
Mary was more than just a disciple?
Excerpts from The Gospel of Mary
Magdalene:
Peter said to Mary, “Sister, I know
that the Saviour loved you more than
the rest of the women. Tell us the
words of the Saviour which you
remember.”
Mary said, “What is hidden from
you I will proclaim.” And she spoke
to them these words. “I saw the Lord
in a vision ...”
Andrew said to the others, “Say
what you will. I, at least, do not
believe that the Saviour said this. For
certainly these teachings are strange
ideas. . . ”
Peter spoke up. “Did Jesus really
speak to a woman without our
knowing it, and in secret? Are we to
turn around and all listen to her? Did
he prefer her to us?”
Then Mary wept.
Mary said to Peter, “My brother
Peter. Do you think that I thought
this up myself in my heart, or that I
am lying about the Saviour?”
Levi spoke to Peter. “Peter, you
have always been hot-tempered. But
if the Saviour made her worthy, who
are you indeed to reject her? Surely
the Saviour knows her very well.
That is why he loved her more than
us. Rather, let us be ashamed and put
on maturity. . . ”
Excerpt from The Gospel of Mark
that made it into the New Testament.
After Jesus rose from death early
on Sunday, he appeared first to Mary
Magdalene. She went and told his
companions that Jesus was alive.
They did not believe her. (Mark
16:9-11.)
Thank you, Dan Brown, for your
novel. It made us rethink some early
church history. And the importance
of Mary Magdalene in the founding
days of our faith.
Solemn occasion
A special prayer service was held in the gym of Sacred
Heart School in tribute to Pope John Paul II. Mrs. Linda
MacKay spends time talking about and praying before the
tribute with the kindergartens. (Photo submitted)
'PCeo&e fat cwtd/ufa
Sunday, April 17
Morning Worship Service - 10 a.m.
Evening Worship Service - 7:30 p.m.
BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH
A
Pastor John Kuperus
Hwy. 4, Blyth 523-9233
Wheelchair accessible
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
TVetetmted yew, to cune
SUNDAY, APRIL 17
Trinity, Blyth
9:30 a.m.
St. John's, Brussels
The Rev. Tom Wilson, B.A., MDiv. 887-9273
MELVILLE
® PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
Sunday, April 17
11:00 a.m. - Sunday Morning Service
- Sunday School
9:30 a.m. - Sunday Belgrave Service
Wheelchair accessible
Nursery care available
Rev. Cathrine Campbell - 887-9831
HURON CHAPEL EVANGELICAL
MISSIONARY CHURCH
SINGASON^OF
Sunday
Tuesday
JjL. Wednesdaylliv
community Church of
"The Church is not a
Building,
People"
Auburn -526-1131
PASTOR DAVE WOOD
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
7:30 p.m.
7:15 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
Family Bible Hour
Morning Worship Service
Evening Worship Service
Youth Bible Study
- Crusaders for grades JK-6
Adult Bible Study
STRCMCHlK'Kl
this Sunday
- Prayer Meeting
- Sunday School
- Worship Service
Phone 523-4875 308 Bly th Rd. E. - Pastor Les Cook 523-4590
Sunday 9:15 a.m.
9:45 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
Blyth United Church
Corner of Dinsley & Mill Street
Sunday, April 17
Worship Service & Sunday School
11:00 a.m.
Parable of Eagles and Parrots
Minister: Rev. Dr. Eugen Bannerman
Brussels Mennonite Fellowship
invites you to come and enjoy
God's presence with us.
9:30 am Worship
10:45 am Coffee Break
11:00 am Sunday School for all ages
When You Wish
God Chose
Someone
Else (
April 17 ~ 1 Peter 1
We offer both Junior & Senior Sunday
School & Nursery
Christ-centred. Bible believing.
Fellowship-friendly. Growth-geared
10:30 a.m. - Contemporary Worship
& Sunday School
at Blyth Public School "
corner < ...... ,
Pastor: Ernest Dow - 523-4848
www.getlivingwqter.org
Public School, f
of King & Mill
Pastor Brent Kipfer 887-6388
Office: 523-4224
Blyth United Church is a welcoming community of faith.
We celebrate God's presence through worship and study, and through
responding to the needs and gifts of each other.
Ladies Day Apart -
BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE
UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA
Joan Golden - Diaconal Minister
Church Office 887-6259 E-mail - bepc@wcl.on.ca
Sunday, April 17
Ethel United Church
9:30 a.m.
Worship Service & Sunday School
Brussels United Church
11:00 a.m.
Worship Service & Sunday School
Celebrating Who We are as We Reflect on the Good News Together!
Saturday, April 30
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Seaforth Golf Country Club
Keynote Speaker:
Janine Schultz
Clinical Director &, Therapist
Special Music by Stephen Wall
Tickets: $22.00 includes lunch & refreshments
For more information & ticket reservation
Call - Les Cook at (519) 523-4590