There are five Marys mentioned in the four gospels. It is not easy to keep track of them. Mama Mary, the mother of Jesus; Mary Magdalene; Mary the sister of Martha; Mary the mother of James and Joses (Mark 15:40), who may or may not be the same as Mary wife of Clopas (John 19:25). Strangely enough (according to Wikipedia) one in four of the women you might meet in a marketplace of 1st century Palestine, would have been named Mariamme (Mary). Because Marys are such good gifts?
None of the Marys had an easy life. Mama Mary’s would have been particularly harsh. Mary Magdalene, troubled in life, has, for most of the years after her death, been slandered by the church. The church depicts Mary, sister of Martha, as a sweet, ethereal worshipper, so heavenly-minded that, unlike Martha, an accomplished chef and housekeeper, she is of little earthly use. Yet she positioned herself in the all-male disciple group to sit with the men at the feet of their teacher. It was a breathtaking, unheard-of breach of cultural and religious protocol. She did it anyway.
The Marys are tender, generous, vulnerable, loving women of strong and faithful character. Bold and not a little rebellious. Other women were watching at Calvary but only His Marys were named. They were with Him at the beginning, and they stayed with Him to the brutal psychopathic butchery of the end—no denial, betrayal, or looking the other way. Three days later, when His men were hiding in fear, He showed Himself, first, to one of His Marys despite knowing the men would not believe her.
Beautiful Mary, and Miriam, Maya, Mara, Moira, Maria, … all of you with the spirit of a Mary but perhaps another name, you are eternally precious and he loves you all. You can bear the weight of an atmosphere that needs to be lifted. You have the strength required to overcome bitterness with your own special sweetness. In her despondency, Naomi knew she needed to call out to you (Ruth 1:20). The grumbling Israelites in their desert challenge knew you, too (Exodus 15:22-25).
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Graham’s Brilliant Questions
These questions come from a Devotional Questions Card Pack sold by Brilliant Book House. The Store describes them as a great place to start a conversation with God when you want to go deeper, receive God’s best for you in a difficult situation, or upgrade your perspective. Mary and I have loved using them. If they have not sold out already, buy a set for yourselves. No. If you are wondering – this site has no affiliate relationships.
www.brilliantbookhouse.com: The Beloved MarysJournal
I know you talk with the Lord every day, as I do. Have you considered taking notes? You will not want to hear my side of these conversations. I’m not keen on them myself. But God’s words are just luscious. If they strike a chord with me, and maybe I should share them with you, you will find them here. They will sound very ordinary to your ears. I’m sorry if you’re about to feel disappointed. He was talking to a very ordinary person. Unless, of course, He is now talking directly to you. Is that possible? Yes, it is.
Community Questions
Have you emailed a question? There is a good chance you will find your answer here unless you have requested otherwise. I will try to reply to every question, but some will certainly be too big for me.
Radical Amazement
‘Our goal should be to live life in radical amazement…get up in the morning and look at the world in a way that takes nothing for granted. Everything is phenomenal; everything is incredible; never treat life casually. To be spiritual is to be amazed.’ – Abraham Joshua Heschel
Brilliant Perspectives
The work of Graham Cooke and his team is well named. We have been the happy beneficiaries of their ministry for many years. You will find much of Graham’s thought and many of his words on these pages. We are more than indebted. Take a look for yourself. https://brilliantperspectives.com
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