Courage in the Face of Loss
Mary Magdalene, Joseph of Arimathea, and an unnamed Centurion
Reading today’s passage from a vantage point outside of Lent and the context of Holy Week/Good Friday offers some new points to ponder.
Mary Magdalene’s presence at the cross and the tomb really can’t be overstated, can it? Each gospel writer emphasizes different points and features of the Triduum, but they all note Mary Magdalene’s presence with Jesus from start to finish. It really is something.
What does it mean for the centurion to declare Jesus to be the son of God, not at the resurrection, but when Jesus died? What did he notice about how he died? Is there meaning in a Gentile, Roman military commander making such a declaration? (For one, remember that “son of the gods” was a title reserved for Augustus Caesar in Roman political understanding.)
Add to Mary Magdalene’s great presence with Jesus all along the courage of Joseph of Arimathea in seeing to Jesus’ proper burial. Jesus was no longer useful to the masses, miracle-maker now dead and gone. But Mary and the other women and Joseph - they honored Jesus beyond personal usefulness. That is really powerful.
A lot has been made of the curtain tearing in two from top to bottom, and rightly so. The curtain, protector and separator of the Holy of Holies from those who could not or should not approach, was nullified. Israel understood that the curtain’s placement came from an instruction from God himself in the building of first, the tabernacle, and second the temple. What now had changed?
The death of Jesus rocked the world. It still rocks the world.
Mark 15:38-47
The curtain of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. When the centurion, who stood facing Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “This man was certainly God’s Son.”
Some women were watching from a distance, including Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James (the younger one) and Joses, and Salome. When Jesus was in Galilee, these women had followed and supported him, along with many other women who had come to Jerusalem with him.
Since it was late in the afternoon on Preparation Day, just before the Sabbath, Joseph from Arimathea dared to approach Pilate and ask for Jesus’ body. (Joseph was a prominent council member who also eagerly anticipated the coming of God’s kingdom.) Pilate wondered if Jesus was already dead. He called the centurion and asked him whether Jesus had already died. When he learned from the centurion that Jesus was dead, Pilate gave the dead body to Joseph. He bought a linen cloth, took Jesus down from the cross, wrapped him in the cloth, and laid him in a tomb that had been carved out of rock. He rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was buried.
Prayer
God,
As I begin this new week, there is a lot in front of me. I pray for wisdom and discernment at each turn and event. I will need much beyond myself. So help me trust in your leading. Give me ears to hear the right influences of people, particularly as I anticipate differences of opinion and thought from people I trust and value. Help me to see each person with eyes of compassion and care, and in particularly so for those of whose input I am unsure.
I anticipate losing this week. Help me to respond with the character of Christ. It is also possible that gain could come to me in new ways and in ways that often lead to destruction. Help me to choose wisely, always with the inspiration of your spirit & guidance and in the person of Jesus.
More simply said:
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.