The Invitation
Mary Magdalene
She meets you in your humanness—in all the places you have tried to hide from yourself, and in all the places you forgot you were worthy of love. She remains beside you with unwavering compassion, reminding you that nothing true about you has ever been lost.
Her companionship is an invitation to embrace your humanity with tenderness. To let yourself be loved where you feel most vulnerable. And to discover that love has already won.
Mary Magdalene
Acrylic on canvas, 100cm x 50cm (23.6" x 39.4")
The emergence
Mary emerged when I needed her most, saying, "Give to me what you cannot carry—for you are not alone."
Painting Mary opened a doorway to grief that had not yet found its way out. I sobbed as I painted her, not knowing why. Days later, my mother died. Mary had known before I did.
She began in fire and burned up my own lies with her all-consuming love. Mary held me through the grief, patiently instructing me on my next steps.
"Annoint me with wax," she said. "And use charcoal, made from the fires that release your grudges."
"Then wait, I will come through as you need me, as you can unburden yourself of your own lies."
Slowly, after months, Mary emerged, the rose revealing the wisdom, "See through the eyes of the heart and know love has already won."
The presence