Mary Magdalene, Oil on wood panel (1858-60)
by English Artist Anthony Frederick Augustus Sandys (1829-1904)
Image from [wikipedia.org] : "This image (or other media file) is in the public domain because its copyright has expired. This applies to the United States, Australia, the European Union and those countries with a copyright term of life of the author plus 70 years"
The start of Holy Week 2010 begins tomorrow (Sunday 3/28/10) in the Catholic Church (and many other Christian denominations). It arrives on a different calendar date every year according to a complicated formula for the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. It commemorates the last week of Jesus' life on earth. It begins with Palm Sunday celebrating Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem on a Donkey. It includes Holy Thursday when Jesus celebrates his Last Supper, is arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane and goes on trial; Good Friday when Jesus is crucified, dies and is buried; and Holy Saturday, a time of waiting. The celebration of Jesus' resurrection on Easter Sunday starts the beginning of the 50 days until Pentecost (the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles).
The Parting below is mainly about Mary Magdalene, a close follower of Jesus (See references at the end of the poem). In this poem, which is fictional and which takes place in the early morning hour, I "witness" in my mind's eye Jesus saying goodbye to Mary at the Sea of Galilee before he leaves on his fateful trip to Jerusalem some 60 miles south. Mary is upset at first but then is reluctantly accepting of Jesus' fate (more likely she is in a state of shock and/or disbelief). We know from the scripture that Jesus had "cast out seven devils" from Mary. We don't know who or what these "devils" were. There is much discussion about who Mary was and what her relationship to Jesus was. In this poem I depict Mary having a deep love for Jesus. But the love had boundaries because her love was human and His divine. They will see each other again in the poem The Resurrection on Easter Sunday.
The Parting
I saw our Lord upon the beach.
Mary Magdalene was prostrate at His feet.
He beckoned to her to stand up tall,
then He gently embraced her, I saw all.
I knew that she loved Him
by the tears in her eyes
as she clung to Him tightly
under Galilee skies.
For the knowledge was hidden
sunk deep in her heart
that the Romans were plotting
to tear Him apart.
She'd born the news well
as reports first sifted back
that this year's Passover feast
would be the Christ's last.
Mary tried not to show Him
that she knew of the plan,
but her tears reached His neck
and rolled down on the sand.
He held her only a moment
then broke the embrace
and with compassionate eyes
looked upon her sad face.
I heard Him say "Mary"
as He brushed off her tears.
"Be trusting, bear with me
you have for three years.
"By my Father's design
this must happen to me.
I'll be taken and scourged,
finally nailed to a tree
"But death will not conquer
I will return!
So cheer up dear Mary
release your concern.
"On the third day of sorrow
be at my grave.
I'll call your name softly.
Don't be frightened, be brave.
"You then will carry
the good news about me
to my friends back in town
and they'll come out to see."
I watched them both closely
as they bid each goodbye.
Christ traveled on southward
Mary looked toward the sky.
"Oh, Yahweh," she said,
"I give you my praise.
I thank Thee for Jesus
On these last of His days."
As Mary lowered her head
and turned away from the sea.
I saw a smile on her lips,
her eyes sparkled with glee.
I listened intently
as she walked out of my view
humming a melody
against a backdrop of blue.
__________
According to Scripture, Mary Magdalene was:
A Follower of Jesus:
Luke 8:1-3 "Now after this he made his way through towns and villages preaching, and proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom of God. With him went the Twelve, as well as certain women who had been cured of evil spirits and ailments; Mary surnamed the Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna the wife of Herod's steward Chuza, Susanna, and several others who provided for them out of their own resources."
Stood at a distance from Jesus' Cross:
Matthew 27: 55-56: " And many women were there, watching from a distance, the same women who had followed Jesus from Galilee and looked after him. Among them were Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee's sons."
Mark15:40-41 "There were some women watching from a distance. Among them were Mary of Magdala, Mary who was the mother of James the younger and Joset, and Salome. These used to follow him and look after him when he was in Galilee. And there were many other women there who had come up to Jerusalem with him."
Luke 23:49 "All his friends stood at a distance; so also did the women who had accompanied him from Galilee, and they saw all this happen."
John 19:25 " Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary of Magdala"
Was at the burial of Jesus:
Matthew 27:61 "Now Mary of Magdala and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the sepulchre."
Mark 15: 47 "Mary of Magdala and Mary the mother of Joset were watching and took note of where he was laid."
Luke 23:55 "Meanwhile the women who had come from Galilee with Jesus were following behind. They took note of the tomb and of the position of the body."
Was at the burial of Jesus:
Matthew 27:61 "Now Mary of Magdala and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the sepulchre."
Mark 15: 47 "Mary of Magdala and Mary the mother of Joset were watching and took note of where he was laid."
Luke 23:55 "Meanwhile the women who had come from Galilee with Jesus were following behind. They took note of the tomb and of the position of the body."
Was among the first to see the Resurrected Christ:
Mark 16:9-11 "Having risen in the morning on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary of Magdala from whom he had cast out seven devils. She then went to those who had been his companions, and who were mourning and in tears, and told them. But they did not believe her when they heard her say that he was alive and that she had seen him."
Luke 24:9-11 "When the women returned from the tomb they told all this to the Eleven and to all the others. The women were Mary of Magdala, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. The other women with them also told the apostles, but this story of theirs seemed pure nonsense, and they did not believe them."
John 20:1-18 A long narrative about Mary Magdalene going to Jesus' tomb early in the morning. She sees that the stone had been moved and runs to tell Peter and John. They run to the tomb and see linen cloths on the ground and believe something miraculous has happened. They go back home. After they leave Jesus appeared and spoke to Mary, "Woman, why are you weeping?" Mary says "They have taken my Lord away...and I don't know where they have put him". Mary doesn't recognize Jesus, thinking He must be the gardener. Finally Jesus finally said "Mary" and she instantly knew Him and said to him in Hebrew "Rabbuni!" meaning Master.
Note: Bible verses used in this post are from The Jerusalem Bible, Copyright 1966, Doubleday & company, Inc. Garden city, New York.
