Rumors of Resurrection floated in Jerusalem on that first day of the week. Rumors started with Mary Magdalene. On that first day of the week, when darkness covered the city of Jerusalem, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb. The story for Mary begins with darkness. When she arrived at the empty tomb and goes into the chamber, darkness swallows her. Remember the tomb is a cave, a space without light. When she enters the tomb, the darkness increases. Did she wonder about that other first day of the week, the first day of creation when everything was darkness and chaos and nothing made sense. Somehow, in that darkness, she makes out that the body of Jesus is missing, only the grave wrappings are left behind.
As she steps out of the tomb she runs to report to Peter and the other disciple what she imagines as the theft of Jesus’ body. The first light of dawn illumined the sky. But Mary could only feel the darkness. Grief clouds the light from Mary. She cannot imagine anything more than death. For her, untrained in the resurrection, only a grave robber can make sense of the nonsense of the empty tomb. But there are hints of resurrection bubbling up in Jerusalem.
When angels speak to Mary, tears blind her eyes from seeing the light.Even when Jesus speaks to Mary, her heart cannot imagine the dawn of the new creation. She creates the illusion that she is speaking to a gardener. Perhaps she has found the grave robber!
But when Jesus says her name, Mary, she turns. She turns in her heart and enters into the light. In that light she sees Jesus. Jesus tells her to share the good news of resurrection with the disciples.
But what does she do? Overwhelmed by joy, she returns to the disciples rushes in and shouts: I have seen the Lord. Ever since that moment, we have all been hearing those rumors of resurrection.
Each of has a tomb in our lives. Some of you face challenges with your health. Others of you search for new meanings in your lives. Grief may overwhelm your souls. Uncertain futures may loom for some of you. We live in a country where you fear that racism threatens your lives and the lives of those you love. You wonder what will happen to your rights as women, as members of the LGBTQ community, as immigrants, as outsiders.
For each of us, some form of darkness threatens us. For each of us, Easter comes to us as the first day of the week, the day of new creation, the day of unimagined resurrection. Easter brings us this invitation: turn inwardly in our hearts, be ready for the unanticipated, hope for the unthinkable.
We all imagine Jesus to be the center of our Easter celebration and indeed Jesus stands in center stage. We know that the Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the dead. The Holy Spirit shed new light in the darkness of Mary’s heart. The Holy Spirit brought faith to the disciple who saw the empty grave cloths. That same Holy Spirit stirs up hope in your heart. That same Holy Spirit gives life to the dead places of your spirit. That same Holy Spirit brings light to you even if you only feel the darkness.
Yes, God continues to do resurrection among us. God lingers on the side lines, eliciting a yet deeper faith from us, drawing us out of our darkness, bringing us into unimagined light. As you profess our faith in this God who brings light out of darkness, may you find your Mary Magdalene identity. Listen to Jesus calling you. Start your resurrection rumors. Let others know that God works resurrection in you.
The world hungers for rumors of resurrection. Your family members hold a hidden and unspoken desire for the hope Jesus brings. Be daring enough, be open hearted enough to let the Spirit enter you, to unlock your heart, to open your lips, to speak the word.
Let’s go out and share that resurrection life with all we meet.