“Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons..”  Mark 16: 9

A familiar story…one so familiar that perhaps we lose sight of the full humanness—and yet the full mystery—described in this gospel passage.  What would happen if we try to get “inside” Mary Magdalene—seeing with her eyes, hearing with her ears?  What would we see?  What would hear?  What would we feel?  Imagine…

I can’t sleep…how can anyone sleep?  Don’t they know the world has come to an end?  Did they not see the darkness descend as Jesus’ breath left his body?  Do they not feel the crushing weight of sorrow?  Oh, God, how can it be?  Jesus, dead…killed…crucified at Golgotha!  I was there, I saw it with my own eyes—but, I can’t take it in…it just can’t be real!!

Jesus…my beloved Lord…you gave me back my very life.  I lived such a life before you came into it—tormented and constantly tortured by the voices, demonic voices.  I can still hear them echoing in my head.  ARGH!!!!  It was so unbelievably dark and ugly, fear and dread everywhere, my soul captured in their spell, my life a living death.  And, then…with your words, they were gone!  Gone!!  I was free!

And, now?  You are gone, gone forever.  I didn’t even get a chance to tell you how very much I love you.  I didn’t get a chance to tell you how you gave me life itself.  Oh, so many things I would have said, should have said…and, now, it’s too late.  A-ah, and the tears…the endless sea of tears…I don’t think my tears will ever stop.

I feel so alone.  Maybe if I go to the tomb, I can begin to take this horrible reality into myself.  Maybe…

What’s this?  The tomb is open…the stone rolled away from the entrance!  Oh, goodness, has his body been desecrated, too?  Haven’t they done enough?

It’s not there!  Where is he?  Where did they take him?  Oh, dear God…

Jesus, it is You?!  But, how can it be?  I was there, I heard your pain…saw you die.  I must be dreaming or hallucinating….perhaps the demons are returning!  Oh, dear God, no!!  No, wait…it is indeed You!  I know those eyes…loving eyes that envelope me…that see my very soul.  It is You!  I don’t know how…but it is You!!  O thank you, God, thank you!!  Thank you!!  Thank you!!  Thank you!!  Thank you!!  The Light of My Life Lives!!!