Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Mary Magdalene

Once you've eaten the ears off the bunny, does it seem like Easter is pretty much over? Does it also seem it shouldn't be that way?

This past Sunday was the 2nd Sunday of Easter, sometimes called Low Sunday because it marks the end of Easter Week or the Octave of Easter. (Pundits remark that the term "low" refers to the attendance at church on this day). In ancient times, people went to church every day that week and the various Resurrection appearances were read aloud, so everyone heard them. Over time, however, that practice faded beyond our remembrance, and only a couple of the stories are read on the Sundays after Easter.

I do remember, however the first time, about age 8, when I heard the story of Jesus appearing in the Upper Room. "They thought they had seen a ghost." THAT got my attention! Was Jesus alive just like before or was he now a ghost! I had a full week to ponder that question and couldn't wait to get back to church the following Sunday for the rest of the story. But, instead I heard...the Good Shepherd. Good Shepherd!! I was just a kid and had already heard that one about a gazillion times. Whatever happened to Jesus the ghost or the not-ghost? How could they leave the scene like that? Easter's not over! Is It?

Maybe these Encounters are just a very belated response to that crushing blow to my childhood curiosity. But I have felt ever since that we simply leave the scene too early.

"Let us linger with the Risen Lord." That was my invitation to you. Thank you for accepting it and joining me in these marvelous stories. This week, we enter the scene with Mary Magdalene... (27 min)

MUSIC to enhance your experience of ENCOUNTERS

As with last week, here is some music to enhance your experience of Mary in the Garden. (click below)

The lyrics are not overt about the Resurrection until the very last line. Did you notice that? Did all that went before prepare you for that? Earlier, she sings, "for this moment, you planned ahead." Can you think of a time when God's care for you was evident in hindsight.

 Kari Job - The Garden
Encounters with the Risen Lord

Each week will feature a different Resurrection appearance to reflect upon.

  • Women at the Tomb: April 20th 
  • Mary Magdalene in the Garden: April 27th
  • The Disciples on the Road to Emmaus: May 4th
  • The Upper Room and Doubting Thomas: May 11th
  • Jesus at the Sea of Galilee: May 18th
  • The Ascension: May 25th

This resource is made available in response to Jesus' saying, "Go and tell the others!" Please share these emails widely and freely to spread the Good News and extend with me the joy that is Easter.

A SPECIAL INVITATION

If you have been forwarded this email or discovered it online, you may sign up to directly receive the rest of ENCOUNTERS WITH THE RISEN LORD as well as emails from Sisters in Scripture every other Wednesday. (You may always unsubscribe). Just click below:

 Sign Up Now

WHY THESE WOMEN: Four Stories You Need to Read Before You Read the Story of Jesus

In WHY THESE WOMEN, you are invited to consider that we are missing something in skipping over the four women in the opening of Matthew’s Gospel, their names, and their stories—something critical to the full appreciation and understanding of the Gospel which follows.

What if we took seriously the anomalous presence of four women in the all-male lineup of ancestors that opens the New Testament? What if we read their colorful stories for more than the titillation they contain but probed them with sacred questions and expectation?

We might see these women as examples of those for whom he came, women who suffer injustice, then and now. Their stories serve as evidence of our failure to notice; their placement redirects us toward addressing that exclusion with all that it implies.

We might find hope that the God who planted their stories within the great larger Story provides purpose and meaning for our stories as well. We might even find that we read the Jesus story that follows somewhat differently, changed by what we have read.

If you do not yet have a copy of Kathleen's latest book, you may purchase it through Amazon. Click below to take a look:

 Read More
Purchase Now
Book

LOVE to hear back from you! What are your thoughts on this particular Resurrection appearance? Contact me Kathleen's email

A response from last week's Women at the Tomb:

I very much enjoyed the First Encounter, well done!

The artwork was fantastic. You mentioned the possible Christ figure in Denis' work: did you note the woman in black (maybe black outfit for mourning?) on her knees before him? I think he snuck in a Mary Magdalene encounter in the garden :slightly_smiling_face: And, who was that little girl with the grown-up women? I loved all of it Kathleen! I especially appreciated the slides with comparisons from the synoptic gospels. And yes, the intimate portrayals of Jesus' physicality with his dear women friends, that is very special...I enjoyed Betsy's video. How immeasurable the blessing to be able to move as she does, with the message of rolling away the stone, in those sacred places of Israel. And for us to be able to be there through the video. - Laura