Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Sharing the good news
An excerpt from John 20:17-2
Jesus said to Mary Magdalene, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the 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.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord;” and she told them that he had said these things to her.
Reflection from Francesca Kelly, Trinity: After all the attention given to the 12 male disciples, some of whom went on to write the Gospels, here we have something remarkable: Jesus first reveals his resurrection to a woman.
Jesus may have been closer to Mary Magdalene than to anyone else in his orbit. Scholars have learned not only that he loved her, but that she was an “influencer,” on both Jesus himself and on others after his death – this, in the midst of a patriarchal society. And even to this day, patriarchies feel threatened by an outspoken and compassionate woman. Perhaps that’s why, for centuries, Mary Magdalene was wrongly depicted as a sinner, even a prostitute. Christ’s choice of Mary Magdalene spoke worlds: that the earth, as run by men, was a violent and unjust place, and that a woman of great faith was the right messenger to share God’s wondrous good news of hope and love.
Painting attributed to Jacopo Di Cione, 14th century Florentine painter.
ADDITIONAL READINGS:
For further study and prayer, the readings assigned for today are:
• Psalm 33:18-22 or
• Psalm 118:19-24
• Acts 2:36-41
• John 20:11-18
MUSIC:
“Woman, Why Weepest Thou?”
by Rob Gardner
“Woman, why seekest thou the living among the dead?
He is not here, for he is risen!”
Tags: Easter to Pentecost 2024