Links:
The Open Tomb
Mary Magdalene and Jesus
Texts:
Mark 16:1-11; Matthew 27:57-28:20; Luke 24:1-53; John 20:1-21:25.
The Setting:
Mary Magdalene came from Magdala which was known to be a notorious fishing village that was destroyed about 75 C.E. The Gospel of Luke refers to her as a woman from whom seven demons had come out. She is mentioned by all four Gospel writers as one of the women who followed Jesus and who were present at Jesus crucifixion. She was the first at the empty tomb where he had been buried, the first to meet and talk with the risen Jesus and the first to witness to the disciples.
Retelling the story:
What follows is a retelling based on the biblical narrative. It is a composite rendering based on the records in all four Gospels. It is by reading into the silences around events and people in the text that this imagined creative reflection is written.
Mary Magdalene reflects:
The day I left my village in Magdala and went into the city was the day that changed my life. Many people knew who I was and avoided me. There was a belief that I was possessed by demons. As I walked I could see in the distance the man named Jesus with a group of people. I had heard of him and that he was a healer. I had nothing to lose. So I pushed my way through the crowd till I stood in front of him. He then healed me from an ailment that had troubled me for many years. Watching me were a group of women. Later I learned that they provided resources for Jesus and his followers as they travelled. I joined the women and followed Jesus. I listened to his teachings. I marvelled at the miracles he performed. Most importantly I believed the good news of the Kingdom of God that Jesus talked about. I was aware of rumours that the leaders in the Temple in Jerusalem were gathering information to build a case against Jesus. There were also Roman soldiers who were watching us to make sure we didn’t create trouble in the city.
My fears for his safety began to increase. There was something different from the day he entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey with the crowds shouting ‘Hosanna!’ And then he angered the High Priest and leaders in the Temple when he cleared the Court of the Gentiles which had become a market place rather than a place for prayer. It was during the celebration of the Passover Festival that we noticed a change come over him. He warned us repeatedly that his death was near. Then came the night when Jesus and his disciples gathered in an upstairs room to celebrate the Passover meal. He washed the feet of the disciples. He talked of the bread and the wine as his broken body given to save the world. He talked of the betrayal that would soon occur and named Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, as the one who would betray him that night. I couldn’t believe such news. How could a disciple betray his Master? Something wasn’t right.
The rest of the night became a blur to me. As the night wore on news came that Pilate had condemned Jesus to be crucified. We felt helpless. Our tears flowed as we clung to each other and prayed. As Jesus was brought to Golgotha carrying the cross some of us wailed. Others jeered and called him names. As soldiers nailed him to the cross he looked down at us. Mary, his mother, her sister Mary, a disciple and I stood by the cross. Helplessly and in agony ourselves we watched him die. We walked away when his body was brought down from the cross. I asked myself why his Father didn’t spare him the violence of the Cross.
In silence we returned to the room where the disciples had gathered. We felt abandoned and afraid. I remember wondering if this was really the end. I couldn’t sleep during the night that followed. As the day dawned I crept out of the house and found my way to the tomb where I knew Jesus had been laid. As I drew near I could see that the stone to the entrance of the tomb had been rolled away. Had someone stolen his body? I couldn’t see anyone around so I ran back to the house where Simon Peter and the others were still gathered. I cried “They have taken our Lord out of the tomb and we don’t know where they have laid him.” Peter and another disciple ran ahead of us women as we went back to the tomb. They looked into the tomb and found the linen wrappings folded and lying there. Not knowing what we should do next, the disciples and the women returned to the house. I couldn’t go back with them. My grief was too deep. I sat by the empty tomb and wept. Something prompted me to look up. A man was standing before me. I thought it was the gardener and asked him to tell me where he had taken the body of my Lord. I waited for his answer. Instead I heard a familiar voice say “Mary!” I turned. All I could say was “Rabboni!” (Master!) as I reached out to touch him. Jesus stopped me and said “Do not hold on to me because I have not yet ascended to my Father. But go to my brothers and say to them I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”
I ran back to the disciples with my heart overflowing with joy. I burst into the room and shouted “I have seen the Lord!” They looked at me with disbelief. But I knew I had seen and talked with my Lord. He was alive! Sadly no one believed me.
Ponder:
Mary Magdalene came to the tomb to mourn the dead. She left as the first person to see and speak with the risen Christ.
What does her story and witness say to us beyond the Easter story?