The Seven Demons of Mary Magdalene

The bible does not name them,
perhaps knowing
that by naming each one,
we return their power,

but we,
unable to help ourselves,
create our own myth
influencing art and faith

in a whitewash of righteousness
and indignation,
based only on imagination and anger,

titilation driving
Dali, Murillo and Lafebvre,
and robed men in their pulpits
mad with painted lust,

that misses the miracle,
Christ’s power and forgiveness
that expelled her demons,
leaving her whole, unblemished,

perfect.

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If you are like most of us, you don’t know that the bible never calls Mary Magdalene a prostitute. That title came from a 7th century preacher, and it has stuck all these years. All the bible tells us is that Jesus cast seven demons from her. And she was immensely, forever grateful.

But is was the myth we remember. The made up story.

The picture is a painting by (I think) Georges de la Tour.

Tom.