Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb,
fearful yet overjoyed,
and ran to announce the news to his disciples.
And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them.
They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage.
Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid.
Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee,
and there they will see me.”
While they were going, some of the guard went into the city
and told the chief priests all that had happened.
The chief priests assembled with the elders and took counsel;
then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers,
telling them, “You are to say,
‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’
And if this gets to the ears of the governor,
we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”
The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed.
And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present day.
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary rush from the empty tomb tp spread the news of the resurrection to the other disciples. They bump into Christ. What I found interesting was that they recognised him. In fact they embraced his feet and paid homage. They were also frightened. Jesus calms them and then instructs them what to tell the other. “I’ll catch up with them in Galillee”. Why does Jesus show himself first to a reformed prostitute? And who is the other Mary? Surely the mother of Jesus would not be referenced that way. The “other Mary” is most likely Mary the mother of James and Joses. Incidentally, this is not the James celebrated on the Camino de Santiago. That was James the greater, the son of Zebedee.
ReplyDeleteThe significance of this reading for me is that Christ appears to women first and one widely believed to be a reformed prostitute. It emphasizes the importance of faith, not social status, in Jesus' eyes.
“Christ, I ask you, Lord, to fill me with your love and grace. Grant me the clarity to see your presence in all things, and the strength to resist temptations that lead me away from you.”
Your response to Matthew 28:8-15 is insightful and thoughtful! Here's a breakdown of your key points and some additional thoughts:
DeleteRecognition and Fear: You correctly observe that Mary Magdalene and the other Mary recognize Jesus despite his resurrection. Their mix of fear and reverence is interesting.
Misconception about Mary Magdalene: You raise a common misconception about Mary Magdalene being a prostitute. There's no evidence to support this interpretation.
The Other Mary: You accurately identify the other Mary as likely being Mary the mother of James and Joses. You correctly distinguish her from James the Greater, the apostle celebrated on the Camino de Santiago.
Significance of the Appearance: You highlight the significance of Jesus appearing first to women, emphasizing faith over social status. This aligns with Jesus' message of inclusivity.
Connection to Prayer: Your closing prayer beautifully reflects your desire for deeper faith and connects it to the message of the passage.
Here are some additional thoughts for consideration:
Importance of Witnesses: The fact that Jesus appears to women first validates their testimony in a culture that often marginalized them.
Symbolism of Touch: The act of embracing Jesus' feet can be seen as a symbolic gesture of devotion and submission.
Focus on the Message: While the identity of the women is interesting, the core message is the news of the resurrection.
Overall, your response demonstrates a good understanding of the passage and its themes. The prayer you included is a powerful reflection.