Mary of Magdala, the first witness of the resurrection, is a compelling character of great depth in the biblical story. In recent years, there has been significant study of the fragments her gospel, written early in the 2nd century but which disappeared for over 1500 years. There is new scholarship regarding the mix-up of various Mary stories in the Bible, her relationship with Jesus, and the suppression of knowledge about her own community and leadership in the early church. All this is engaging.
Yet what is clear even in this one text from the gospel of John,* is that Mary was a natural visionary and that she and Jesus had an intimate spiritual kinship. While it is still dark, early on the first day of the week, Mary is first at the tomb. Seeing no stone blocking the tomb entrance, Mary knows Jesus is not there and weeps. The open entrance beckons her. She looks into the tomb and sees two angels in white where Jesus’ body had been. Mary turns then and sees someone standing, recognizing Jesus’ new resurrection reality when he speaks her name, “Mary.”
These are powerful images, wrapped in evocative mystery, each provoking limitless meditation and meaning. The ominous dark unknowing beginning the first day; the faithful disciple longing to be close to her Rabboni/teacher; the beckoning opening newly unblocked; dazzling angels in place of the dead body. And then, turning around, the holy one sought is right beside her. Speaking her name. Seeing Christ, the anointed one, in a new form.
Jesus instructed her to go and tell the others. But first there is personal guidance. He says, ‘don’t hold on to me.’ This speaks so deeply to me. I sense him saying that he is in flux, everything is in flux, and from now on there must be an enthusiastic acceptance of a new reality, the resurrection reality. Time and space are redefined, matter is redefined. Everything is shimmering with revolutionary newness, movement, and divine possibility.
Mary was the first to see the meaning of the light of the resurrection. This narrative of her experience illumines a pattern of spiritual movement, from confusion to clarity, unknowing to illumination, suffering to joy. I want to be seeing anew, with resurrection eyes.
–Ann Dean, Dayspring Church
Reflection Questions
- What opening have you noticed that encourages you to turn in a new direction?
- What sign of the Resurrection Realm have you glimpsed lately?
- What are you clinging to that might be impeding moving on a new path?
