I have always held an affinity for Mary Magdalene, the woman who learned along side the men in the Gospels. She was a student and a teacher, a story-teller and a financial tycoon, she was a sinner and a saint. She is redemption. Throughout my life, as I commit sin after sin, I look to her as the promise of the ability to change. I strive for that forgiveness she received and my hope often resembles hers: to leave behind past mistakes and move forward toward God's Kingdom. Furthermore, I find my faith not in perfections or when I receive the blessing of a pat on the back; rather, I continue to find my faith when I stumble. It is in falling that the Lord picks me up and that is my connection to Mary Magdalene. She is real. As a Catholic, I have been taught to use my intellect and logic to further understand my faith; and this is what I have applied to my study of Mary Magdalene: logic and human reality. If I make her a bride to Christ or an earthly goddess or even a prostitute, she is not a symbol of hope for me. For I will never be the bride to Christ, an earthly goddess, or god-willing, a prostitute. But I can be a student of Jesus', a story-teller, a forgiven woman saved by Jesus, striving for the Kingdom. This is the Mary Magdalene we need: a real life woman, a regular follower, a sinner, a saint.

Christine Blake holds a Masters Degree in Multi-Cultural Education from National University and a Bachelors in English from the University of San Diego. While at USD, she also studied Theology, Logic, and Philosophy as well as completing her fifth year for Education. With these degrees, she has taught literature and writing for many years as well as served as Youth Minister, further completing her certificate at the Archdiocese of Denver. As an adult Christian, Christine continues to study through classes offered by the Biblical School and the Lanteri Center as often as possible. She has also served as a speaker at churches and women’s groups as well as a Lector at her local parish.

Interview on internetvoicesradio.com - under WHat's Happening with the Independent Authors Guild on Tues. Feb. 5...download it - interesting stuff:) Download my podcast interview with Writers in the Sky at http://yvonneperry.blogspot.com/2008/02/tgif-february-22-mary-magdalene-author.html! Contact me to speak to your group about the community of women who followed Jesus!

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Outskirts Press
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