It has become something of a Christian Playbook tradition to revisit Wendy M. Wright’s book The Rising: Living the Mysteries of Lent, Easter and Pentecost [well worth the purchase HERE or at your location bookstore!] In that book, Wendy discusses the “Easter Octave” – the 8 days of Easter and after and mentions:
“it is appropriate throughout the week to worship with the same mood of exultant celebration as one does on Easter Day”
She tells some stories, including her experience of “putting yourself in Mary Magdalene’s place” in the John 20:1-18 verses.
When you have 10 minutes – maybe even right now? – consider doing the following:
- close your eyes and put yourself in the role of Mary Magdalene – you’ve experienced the crucifixion and are going to visit the tomb
- read John 20:1-18 (listed below,) as though you are living what Mary Magdalene did – with Jesus saying your name
- reflect on how it makes you feel to have that personal contact
- pray that you might carry that sense of post-Easter experience in the days ahead
In case you want a topical SONG, HERE is In The Garden, performed by Anne Murray or HERE by the Avett Brothers.
May the Spirit move through you vibrantly during this Easter Octave!
John 20: 1-18 [“PUTTING YOURSELF IN MARY’S PLACE” VERSION]
20:1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, I came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb.
20:2 So I ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”
20:3 Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb.
20:4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.
20:5 He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in.
20:6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there,
20:7 and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself.
20:8 Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;
20:9 for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
20:10 Then the disciples returned to their homes.
20:11 But I stood weeping outside the tomb. While weeping, I bent over to look into the tomb;
20:12 and I saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet.
20:13 They said to me, “Woman, why are you weeping?” I responded, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.”
20:14 After saying this, I turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but did not know that it was Jesus.
20:15 Jesus said to me, “Why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, I said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”
20:16 Jesus said to me, “__________ {INSERT YOUR NAME HERE}!” I turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher).
20:17 Jesus said to me, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
20:18 I went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and told them that he had said these things to me.
Lectionary Texts for Sunday, April 24, 2022:
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