by Joan Mitchell, CSJ
Easter is a hinge moment. Jesus’ resurrection opens a future of lasting communion with God. This is the good news Jesus commissions Mary Magdalene to announce when they meet in the garden. Their encounter happens after Mary Magdalene brings Peter and the beloved disciple to see the empty tomb and the two return home.
Mary Magdalene stays at the empty tomb, grieving and weeping. Two angels ask, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She explains Jesus’ body has been taken away. A man Mary Magdalene mistakes for a gardener asks, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?” Mary Magdalene explains she is looking for the missing body. Then the gardener speaks her name, “Mary.” She turns and says, “Teacher,” recognizing Jesus’ voice.
Jesus commissions Mary Magdalene to go to his disciples and explain, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” The relationships Jesus has made with his disciples will last. His Father is our Father; we are Jesus’ brothers and sisters in lasting communion.
Mary Magdalene returns to the disciples and tells them, “I have seen the Lord.” She gives them his message. She is the apostle to the apostles, the first preacher of the good news of Jesus’ resurrection. The encounter between Jesus risen and Mary Magdalene happens early Easter morning.
This Sunday finds the whole company of Jesus’ disciples together in the city. It is Easter evening. They have locked the doors where they pray because they fear the officials who put Jesus to death.
These disciples become the original Christian community. Many of them traveled from village to village with Jesus in Galilee and accompanied him to Jerusalem. They must know each other quite well — the eleven, Jesus’ mother, Mary Magdalene, and many other women and men, many whose names are lost. By Luke’s count the community that gathers after Jesus’ ascension numbers 120.
- Imagine yourself among the disciples praying together. What do you think and feel about Mary Magdalene’s good news?