Mary Magdalene: The Truly Loved Disciple | Sermon June 28, 2026 | Rev. John Morehouse

In this thought-provoking sermon, Rev. John Morehouse explores the hidden history of Mary Magdalene, challenging centuries of patriarchal narratives that labeled her a "harlot." Drawing from the Gnostic gospels and biblical scholarship, Rev. John reimagines her as Jesus’s most beloved disciple—and perhaps even his wife—whose wealth, grit, and intuition supported the early Christian movement. Discover how Mary Magdalene embodies the "Divine Feminine" and what her courage to stay by the cross, when others fled, can teach us today about radical love, emotional intelligence, and the power of compassion in our own lives. 0:19 – A personal story of biblical literacy and the "men tell the stories" perspective. 2:41 – Exploring the "Divine Feminine" and the survival of the Goddess cults. 3:30 – Debunking the myth of Mary Magdalene as a prostitute (the 1969 Vatican correction). 4:13 – Who was the "Beloved Disciple"? Comparing Mary Magdalene and the Apostle John. 5:13 – The Gnostic Gospels: Hidden messages and the discovery at Nag Hammadi. 6:58 – Mary Magdalene's complexity: Wealth, grit, and supporting Jesus' ministry. 8:33 – Key Aramaic teachings: From "Kingdom" to "Kindom." 10:33 – "Mary the Tower": Her origins in Magdala and possible royal lineage. 11:23 – The Wedding at Cana: Evidence for a partnership between Jesus and Mary. 15:28 – The power of the feminine in Jesus' radical teachings. 17:13 – Modern parallels: The ongoing struggle for women's leadership and the power of fierce love. 18:55 – Closing message: Love as the ground of our being. #MaryMagdalene #DivineFeminine #UnitarianUniversalist #ProgressiveChristianity #MLUC