Since the release of The DaVinci Code, the issue of whether Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene and had a child or children with her is a hot topic. Like many people, I read Holy Blood, Holy Grail back in the early 1980s, and have continued to read about the subject ever since. A good case can be made for the likelihood of their marriage even though it’s unlikely we’ll ever know the truth.

     That Jesus associated with women and treated them well is clear from the Gospels; even though it was not the custom of his time. In the very early church, women were respected and they held positions of leadership. That changed pretty quickly. Isn’t it a wonder that those who came after him somehow forgot his example? Because of this, the feminine principle in Christianity was lost, and the hopes and dreams of millions and millions of women were never encouraged or realized, and we have all suffered greatly for it.

     On a more personal level, I hope that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married, and that they did have some kids. I like the thought of Jesus teaching the Sermon on the Mount after staying up late with a cranky baby. We usually think of him traveling around with his entourage, being supported and cared for by wealthy patrons, fairly insulated from life’s everyday matters. Who couldn’t be more spiritual in that situation?  On the other hand, if he attained Christ Consciousness in the midst of negotiating his relationship with Mary, there’s more hope for the rest of us.

     In the traditional church, the role model for young women is Mary, the Mother of the Son of God, born without the sin the rest of us are stained with. Aside from the fact that it’s insulting to our creator to believe we are somehow essentially flawed, it’s just plain impossible for us to be like the BVM. The church offers many women saints to look up to, and their lives are inspirational, but so many of them had to die to be of any worth.

How much better a role model would Mary Magdalene be?  She was a real woman who managed not only to marry Jesus, but she impressed him so much that some writings suggest he shared deeper teachings with her than he did with the other apostles.

     I long for the nonexistent history that looked to the teachings of Jesus as its inspiration, and not those of the Church. I wish the Trinity included a woman. So many of Jesus’ teachings include examples of fertility and plenty while Christian traditions offer us salvation through sacrifice and suffering. I guess a savior born pure and remaining pure ’til death can be inspiring, but I prefer a way shower who knew what it was to love a wife and children. Jesus is often referred to as a bridegroom in the Bible; I hope that Mary was his bride.