“They came to the tomb.” Mary and some
other women, came to clean and care for the body of their beloved teacher and friend,
Jesus.
They entered the empty tomb, and
they did not find the body.
When you try to grasp this scene
with your sacred imagination, what is it like?
-Is it sunny, or still dark?
-The spice, can you smell it? Has the scent seeped out of its container?
-How many women are at the tomb?
Dr. Barbara Lundblad, who presented
at the New Jersey Synod’s Ministerium Day this year, speculated that we know of
12 women in Luke’s Gospel who were in Jerusalem at the time of his crucifixion
and resurrection.
4 Marys,
Joanna, Susanna, Martha,
as well as 5 unnamed women.
These women—between 2 and 12 of ‘em—they
were confronted with:
shimmering people
—terrifying angels
—Heavenly messengers,
who ask, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?”
And then the women are instructed to remember.
Prayer
Mother
Mary, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?”
Remember! That song you sang
that scattered the proud of heart, toppled thrones, lifted up the lowly, and
filled the empty with good things!
What tasks your son was set apart to do!
Residents of Nain: Unnamed Widow
and woman called “Sinner” “Why do you look for the living among the dead?”
Remember! That strange
meeting
—mourning your only son, meeting God’s only Son.
He was moved in the guts—moved with compassion
—and that son of yours once lost, alive again!
You cried out, “God has come to help his people!”
Remember! That deep kindness
you offered to Jesus
—perfume and tears, anointing him with kisses
—just like now… again…
but this time anointing him for burial.
But the religious leaders named you
sinner,
and acted as if associating with you was a mark against Jesus
—but he named it all as hospitality! Love! Forgiveness! Faithfulness!
Jairus’ daughter and woman with the
flow of blood—“Why do you look for the living among the dead?”
Remember! Your father’s
pleading, “my only child! Save her!”
“Be not afraid! Trust!
Talitha Kumi—Child get up!”
Remember! Being healed and
then being noticed.
Noticed, not stigmatized for that miserable flow of blood.
Declared Daughter! Your faith was named and uplifted!
Mary and Martha, “Why do you
look for the living among the dead?”
Remember! Serving Jesus. Sitting
at Jesus’ feet!
Drawn to the one necessary thing
—his presence.
Dear woman, bent over for over 18 long
years, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?”
Remember! He freed you from
bondage, that Holy day!
He declared the Sabbath as a day of liberation!
He straightened your back up
and you praised God!
“Why do you look for the living
among the dead?” Remember!
If
it seems an idle tale, a delirious testimony—Remember!
Remember that Jesus draws us to him, is present with us, calls us
Children of God!
Remember that Jesus Makes us faithful and allows us to praise God!
If
you are amazed or terrified—Remember!
Remember Jesus’ compassion and liberation!
Remember that Jesus uplifts and gives life!
If
you are wondering or perplexed—Remember!
Remember that Jesus is our salvation and forgiveness!
Remember
—On the Third Day He Shall Rise Again!
Night bows to the Easter dawn,
and the first fruits of a new creation wake!
The burial perfume can not be held
in that small tomb
—it spills out and things have never been the same
—heaven is loose,
and humanity is forever stained by the sacred!
The witnesses,
be there 2 or 12 or multitudes upon multitudes
—these Gospel Bearers,
they testify,
“The Grave tried to tie him up,
but the Grave alone stayed bound.”
“Bitter Death snarled and snapped at him,
but could only grind its teeth in despair.”
“O death, where is thy sting?
O hades, where is thy victory?”
“Christ has triumphed!
He is living!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!”
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