whom less is forgiven, he loveth less." And He says to her:
"Thy sins are forgiven thee."
At once all the company begin to think: "Who is this that forgiveth sins also?" Jesus takes no notice of them, but says to the woman:
"Thy faith hath made thee safe, go in peace."
Not one word had Magdalen spoken, either of sorrow for her sins or in self-defence. She let her Lord speak for her, she trusted herself to Him. Not by words but by her tears, and kiss, and costly gift she showed Him her contrition. And she knew from His own words that not one of her loving acts had escaped Him. He had accepted all. And now she goes away, her heart full of peace and joy, teaching us all by her example not to be afraid of our merciful Lord when we have sinned, but to go to Him like her with our sorrow and our love, and like her we shall be forgiven.
Magdalen never forgot that much had been forgiven her. To try to repay her Lord with loving service—this was her one aim now. With other holy women who had become His disciples, Joanna, wife of Herod's steward, Mary of Salome, Mary of Cleophas, and many others, she followed Him about and provided for His wants. For we must remember that from the time He left Nazareth He had no home, and with His twelve Apostles depended on the charity of those who believed in Him and loved Him. "The foxes have holes and the birds of the air nests," He said, "but the Son of Man hath not where to lay His head." These holy women were devoted to Him, faithful and brave when even Apostles wavered, but bravest and most faithful of all was Mary Magdalen.
