April 26, 2015

Mary Magdalene in Images-visio divina



We continue to explore Mary Magdalene during this Eastertide. The woman who some name 'apostle to the apostles' is one of the more misunderstood and even maligned women in scripture. Sometimes linked with the sinful woman who anoints Jesus' feet (from Matthew 26:6-16, Mark 14:3-9, and Luke 7:36-50). Others believe she is the woman out of whom Jesus cast 7 demons (Mark 16:9). More modern scholars believe she was a woman of some wealth from the city of Magdala and that she has been confused with these other women in the Bible over the centuries.

You’ve read my interpretation of Mary of Magdala’s encounter with the Risen Jesus in the Garden and last time you explored your own thoughts and reactions using lectio divino

This week, I invite you into a further exploration, using ‘visio divina. Because of the many interpretations of who Mary is, there are multiple artistic interpretations of her. Using the images today and in the past 2 posts, and/or by doing a Google search for “Mary Magdalene”, find assorted images from art of Mary with or without Jesus. This website has many assorted images of Magdalene, too.

You'll notice a diversity of representations...Some images show her as a fallen woman, others in icon form with a red egg. Many images show the moment of recognition when Jesus says ‘do not touch me’. Others are more modern or even troubling. Some are by famous artists, others by relative unknown men and women. In a Google search you may also find images from movies of women portraying Mary. 

Which ones speak to you? 
Can you relate to Mary’s experience differently as you look at the pictures? 
How are you affected by the facial expression, or body language, or drama of some of the images? 
Who do you think Mary of Magdala is and what can she teach you?

April 19, 2015

"Mary"



Last time we looked at my interpretation of Mary of Magdala’s meeting with the Risen Lord. This week, I would suggest that you enter into her story yourself by doing what is known as ‘lectio divino’. In this type of study you read the scripture citation (John 20:1-16) over several times. Sometimes it’s beneficial to read it in different translations. (If you don’t have a stack of Bibles at home, there are online references you can use. One is: http://bible.oremus.org/. You can choose which translation you want to read.)

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.’ Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went towards the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes.
But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, ‘They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.’ When she had said this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbouni!’ (which means Teacher). (John 20:1-16 NRSV)


After each reading, sit with the words and ponder what jumps out at you.
What words or images linger after you read it?
Do you hear the birds in the trees?
Can you feel the sand of the path under your feet?
Are you feeling Magdalen’s grief as she carries the oils to anoint her Lord?
What emotions do you feel when you realize the stone covering the grave is rolled away and the body gone?
Would you have the courage Mary did to go to the garden to cleanse and anoint a body dead since Friday?
Are there lessons you learn while reading this story?

Read through the citation one final time, replacing Mary’s name with your own, as below.

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.’ Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went towards the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes.
But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, ‘They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.’ When she had said this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘(Your name here)!’ She turned and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbouni!’ (which means Teacher). (John 20:1-16 NRSV)


How do you feel when you hear the Risen Lord speak your name?

April 12, 2015

Magdalene's Story



You ask me how it was that first morning? I have to go back to the beginning. I was a woman in a man’s world. That I was a girl was a disappointment to my father even though he raised me to take over the prosperous trading center in Magdala. After he died I continued to manage and enlarge the business. Traders from the Decapolis and even Damascus and Jerusalem knew of the honesty and fair deals I offered. Mostly they quit looking at me as a woman, and accepted me as an equal.
Perhaps it was all the years working with men, I did not hesitate to join the crowds that listened to the rabbi from Nazareth. I was not intimidated by the looks of surprise and yes, condemnation, that greeted me when I abandoned my business to follow Jesus. It was in good hands. My cousins were well trained and honest young men.
The days and weeks that followed…what can I say about them. There was laughter and comradery. We were amazed by the miracles of healing we saw. The Master was never impatient, even with stupid questions. For the first time in my life, I was part of a community. The other women-Joanna, the mother of James and John, and Suzanna who also accompanied us accepted me, as no other woman had done. We all were joined in a grand adventure.
Of course there were hints of danger. Many times the scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem challenged the Master. He found their incessant legalism appalling and challenged them to be more open to God. The God of Jesus was not a God who demanded sacrifice and following every iota of the Law. The God we learned about cared and even loved each one. Jesus showed us that God had always been guiding, protecting, even loving the people like a father or lover. It was amazingly liberating.
I suppose it was foolish of us to believe we could go on wandering the countryside with Jesus forever. There were glimpses of some deeper purpose at work. Peter, James, and John had an experience with Jesus at Horeb that they never spoke of but they were changed by it. When he cast the demons out of the man in the tombs, I knew that this was no ordinary man. Lazarus, dead and buried and then alive again, made us all wonder exactly who this rabbi was.
The day he entered Jerusalem riding a donkey we were all sure that the prophecies were to be fulfilled and the kingdom of God had come. The crowds shouted welcome, calling him ‘Son of David’ and the one who ‘comes in the Name of the Lord’. I saw the religious leaders frowning at the exuberance and noted the Romans at the gate tighten their grip on their spears and swords. It made me shiver as if in warning.
When he strode through the Temple market spilling coins and freeing animals, I wanted to cry out ‘Stop!’ because I knew that the chief priest would not let such an act go unpunished. It was the only time I saw Jesus really angry. “You have made my Father’s house a den of thieves!” His words would be reported to the Caiphas. I held my breath all the next day, but nothing happened.
We kept the Passover in a friend’s home. From the doorway we women watched the Master do the work of a servant. He washed the feet of each of his 12 chosen disciples. “I have come to serve”. Midway through the meal Judas left the room and the house. It was very odd. “Where could he be going?” we asked each other. The market was closed and it was dark outside. We trailed along when Jesus led the men to the olive garden just outside the gates. It was where we had spent the previous nights. This time, he did not lie down with his companions but paced back and forth. “Stay awake and pray you do not enter into temptation,” he said cryptically before striding away from us all.
I followed quietly, sensing Jesus was distressed. I witnessed him in deep, anguished prayer. “Let this cup pass from me,” he begged. After what seemed like a long time, he heaved a sigh and held up his hands in surrender. “Not my will but Yours.”
Almost immediately there was the sound of footsteps and the rustle of armor and clank of swords. Jesus stood up and walked back to the men who were sleeping. “Could you not watch an hour?” I had never heard such sorrow in any voice. Peter, startled from sleep by the approaching troops, grabbed a short sword and swung wildly. It connected with the head of Malachis, a servant of the high priest, who cried out in pain. “Put away your sword,” the Master told Peter even as his touch healed the wounded ear.
Judas stepped forward and embraced Jesus. “Will you betray me with a kiss?” The words were said with more disappointment than sorrow. “This is the man,” our erstwhile friend told the soldiers. They grabbed and bound him and led him away. The disciples scattered in panic and I crouched low in the bushes as the soldiers passed.
We heard there was a trial and that our Master was condemned by the Roman governor to be crucified. At the news I heard his mother cry out as if in pain. I echoed her grief in a cry of my own.
“I must go to him,” she said. I gripped her hand, nodding. It felt necessary to be there as he died.
John tried to dissuade us. “A crucifixion is not a sight for women.” When we would not change our minds, he went with us. The crowds were vicious. The beaten, hanging, naked bodies were awful to behold. Mary and I clung to each other while John protected us from the pushing and shoving as well as he could.
As we huddled together, the man on the cross looked at us. In the midst of his gasping agony he addressed Mary and John. “Woman, behold your son. Son, behold your mother.” Mary’s wail pierced my ears and my heart. The dying man had relinquished his ties to her and given her into the care of his friend.
Eventually he ceased struggling to rise and breathe. Then, almost triumphantly Jesus arched upward to inhale. “It is completed!” In contrast to the labored gasps of the two others dying on their crosses, the statement sounded triumphant. He did not raise himself again and when the soldiers were given an order to hasten the deaths of the condemned, they jabbed a spear into his side. The blood did not spurt like from a living wound by trickled out in an odd looking flow. I sobbed into Mary’s shoulder and she wept into mine.
When the dead were removed from their crosses, we moved forward to claim our loved one. With surprise I saw one of the Sanhedrin talking to the centurion.
“Pilate has given permission to bury this one in my tomb.”
The words startled us. We followed Joseph of Arimathea to his gravesite. Gently, even lovingly, the man wrapped the broken and bloodied body in grave cloths with a small portion of spices. “It is the best I can do at this late time as the Sabbath is coming on,” he explained. 
Numb with grief, we watched his servants shove a massive stone over the entrance to the tomb. It would keep out robbers and wild animals.
“I will come after the Sabbath and anoint him correctly,” I promised myself and the others present.
Joseph nodded. He looked much older than only a couple of years earlier when he sought out Jesus with questions. I was sure I also had aged in the past few hours.
The Sabbath passed in sorrow and not a little terror. Every sound at the door made Peter and the other men look around nervously. Early on the day after the Sabbath I crept from the house. I had a stock of oils and spices for the proper burial cleaning. It was only as I approached the garden tomb that I began to wonder how I would get the stone moved.
When I rounded the corner I saw that the stone was not covering the opening. Silently I thanked Joseph for thoughtfully sending servants to open the tomb. However, when I looked into the dark hole, it was empty. Immediately I fled back to the house.
“They have taken the Lord out of the tomb,” my panting announcement was met with astonishment. Peter and John raced ahead of me back to the grave. I followed, weeping and when they left I went to the doorway again. It was then I saw 2 figures in white.
“Why are you weeping?” I was never sure if the beings spoke or if I heard the words in my heart.
“My Lord is gone!” I wailed. “I do not know where they have laid him.”
I backed out of the tomb, reeling with grief and loss. Turning to return to Jerusalem, I saw a man nearby. I thought he was the gardener, or maybe one of Joseph’s servants. He asked, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?”
“Sir, if you have moved him, tell me where he is and I will take him.” My tears welled up again and choked my request. I drew my veil up to dab my eyes.
“Mary.” That one word changed my world. I knew that tone but I could not believe it. I spun in a complete circle trying to find the speaker. There was only the stranger who had first spoken. I gasped as I looked closer. Then I fell at his feet reaching toward the one I recognized, although I could not comprehend how Jesus was standing before me, alive!
“Rabboni!”
“Do not hold me. I have not yet ascended to my Father. Go to my brethren and tell them.”
I did not want to leave his side. The words spurred me to action, however. Still weeping, but with joy now, I raced back to the eleven men and the other women. “I have seen the Lord! He is alive!”
The world will never be the same. The Crucified Lord is alive! Nothing can stop us now. 
(c) Cynthia Davis 2015

April 5, 2015

Easter Glory



Alleluia! He is Risen!
The words ring out in churches everywhere today. Some churches, like mine, ‘bury the Alleluia’ and avoid saying it during Lent. Then on Easter the Alleluia is back in joyful abandon. I once read that years ago the clappers on the church bells some places in Europe were removed during Lent and returned for Easter when they clanged the joyful news.
Many places you’ll see flowers and eggs and butterflies. All are symbols of new life coming from something simple. In each case what comes out is nothing like the thing that it started as. A seed is nothing like a plant, a chick is nothing like an egg, a butterfly is certainly nothing like the caterpillar.
Early in Lent I heard a speaker talk about what happens scientifically and physiologically to the caterpillar in the process of becoming a butterfly. Like her, I had always imagined the caterpillar kind of splitting down the back with wings and the new creature emerging. Turns out it is much more dramatic. The caterpillar actually ‘dissolves’ into something called ‘imaginal disks’ which then form and turn into the butterfly.
During Lent, we have been exploring symbols that may have helped us in our own transformation toward a fuller Christian life and commitment. We are the God-breathed dust that forms us into living, breathing humanity. As that, admittedly frail and fault-ridden, creation we are called to be Light in the world’s darkness and to plant seeds of transformation. The only way we can hope to accomplish such a monumental task is because of the Love of God seen in Jesus on the Cross.
The Living Lord, rising from the Grave, was a new and different creation from the dead carpenter’s son laid in the grave by Joseph of Arimathea and the faithful women. Because we have the imago dei of God (maybe that is like the imaginal disks of the caterpillar turning into a butterfly?) we can live a new life this Eastertide and beyond. Because of the Cross and Victory over the Grave we can, with St. Paul say, For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:5-6)
Alleluia! The Lord is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!

Lent 5: Justice and Peace and Dignity

  In Lent we are looking at the many ways the Baptismal Covenant calls us to serve Christ in each other. Fellowship, prayer, repentance, eva...