Poem April 29, 1944 Issue

Mary Magdalene

HELEN ROBERTSON WHITEHEAD

Mary , when she knew that Jesus sat
At meat in Simon's house, came yearningly,
For she would prove a grateful trust in him
Whose words of sure compassion healed all sin.
The Saviour's voice flowed through the open door
And thought was filled with Love it had not known!
Was Life then pure, a cleansing fount of peace?
Each hour a holy unity with God?
All sin unknown to Him who was her Life?

Repentant, weeping, Mary Magdalene
Went in, and kneeling by the Master's feet,
Bathed them with her tears, so tenderly,
Wiped them with her hair that softly fell
About her contrite form, and kissed those feet,
In silence proving her true gratitude.

Oh, precedent of deep humility!
We too would learn to lay our earthly all
At Jesus' feet, acknowledging the Christ;
Like Mary, humbly seek and find the truth,
Nor yoke our lives again with those who doubt,
Steadfast proving God and man are one;
As Mary, hear those words of long ago:
Thy faith hath saved thee, daughter, go in peace.