Not a bang, but a whisper

Gospel: Mk 16:1-7
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/033024.cfm

The three women that discovered Jesus in the tomb are sometimes referred to as the three myrrhbearers. At the time of Jesus’ death, it was a custom to anoint bodies with oil for three days after death. The three women would have skipped the sabbath (Saturday) in reverence to the day. In the gospel of Mark, these three women are Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome. All three women were present at the crucifixion and two of the women were present at the burial. 

Mark’s gospel has none of the disciples mentioned at the crucifixion. It only mentions these three women. We encounter a lot of people in our life, but who is truly there for us in our deepest time of need? I am not saying this to speak ill of those who were not present, but to commemorate those who were. These three stayed with Jesus past the cross. They were there for his death, followed him to burial, and were planning on taking care of his body as his loved ones.

Jesus’ resurrection is not a bold proclamation. After a person in white speaks to the women, they do not react by glorifying God. As verse eight states, “They went out and fled from the tomb, seized with trembling and bewilderment. They said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.” The experience must have been very confusing and eerie for them. They instinctually responded by fleeing the scene.

Jesus didn’t wait around to be greeted or revered by the miracle that had occurred. Jesus' return was more of a whisper than a loud bang. Instead he begins his journey to Galilee. Later in the chapter, Jesus encounters Mary Magdalene one-on-one and then two disciples before he appears to the 11 remaining disciples. This transformative moment in history was treated simply and humbly by Jesus, and those that knew him did not know how to process it.

We can put a deeper metaphysical meaning to the resurrection and its significance in salvation history, but in this gospel, we are not shown that image. Jesus was a man, loved by many, denied by many, rebuked my many, and crucified. Only a few of his followers remained with him until the end and took care of his body after death. And for those few, they were shocked and bewildered by his return.

The resurrection is not an end but a continuation. Life goes on. Death has no power as life goes on. The Kingdom of God transcends death; the mission continues. And who is to lead that mission? Those that loved yet denied. Those that heard the word but did not trust. Those that cared but were bewildered. In other words, we are all called.

We can look at the struggles of our time and fall into despair, but we should see hope. If God chose to become a human being at that point in history and saw potential in the disciples and  other followers with all of their shortcomings, there is hope for us as well. God trusts us in our untrustworthiness. God depends on us in our un-dependableness. God relies on our care in our mercilessness. The Kingdom of God is in our midst and we are to bring this Kingdom forward. We are not called in perfection, but as we are and as we are continually transformed on this journey.

Hallelujah! Praise God! The mission does not end in death, but continues! It continues alive in us as active participants. Hallelujah! Praise God!

Amen.