Easter Day 2023
A woman goes first to the tomb. She pays it the very first visit, as soon as the Sabbath is over. It is still dark. The apostles have not yet reappeared publicly. Just as she had accompanied Jesus on His way of the cross, seeing from afar what was happening, Mary Magdalene cleaves to Jesus’ body as much as she can. There were other women with her at the foot of the cross, most especially Mary, the mother of Jesus. The fact that she now tells the disciples: “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him” suggests that other women, too, had come with her to the tomb early in the morning, even if the Evangelist focuses on her alone.
According to the mindset of the time, it seems logical that Mary Magdalene immediately runs towards Peter and John. The two apostles enter the tomb, see the linen cloths, attest that the body is no more here; they believe and confess Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Peter is recognised as having a key role in the Church here suggested by the fact that John does not enter the tomb first, but waits for him and enters after him.
Whatever the role of these two men, the Evangelist stresses the fact that no less important a part is played by the women. For there is a part of the mystery of Easter that belongs more especially to a woman or to a few women (those called the ‘holy women’), but also particularly to Mary the Mother of Jesus, and generally to all women.
Remember. When Jesus was arrested, His disciples were scattered, but a group of women remained close to Him till the end. From this same group, a few women visited His tomb as soon as it was possible. They had no official role. They were not taken seriously. They did not really matter. Therefore, they could be around. They could stay close to Jesus when male disciples thought they had better hide themselves.
Someone, though, took them very seriously. Jesus was attentive to their presence at the Cross – and they realised that. Jesus even spoke to one of them, Mary, His mother. She was to become the mother of the beloved disciple who, in turn, was to take Jesus’ place as her son. One among the women was thus singled out to be entrusted with a mission which concerns all of us – for we are all called to become the disciple whom Jesus loves.
Thus, to all women was offered a new dignity. Men were given things to do: to preach the Gospel, to celebrate the Sacraments, and to lead the Church. Women were given a presence and an action at a deeper level. They were called to be not the docile daughters of Peter and John, but rather their loving mothers. On the day of Pentecost, we see the disciples gathered together in prayer in the presence of women, including Mary. This is the icon of Mary as Mother of the Church, but this can also be understood as the icon of all women and their maternal presence in the Church and for the Church.
How can we understand this presence? Let us go back to Mary Magdalene at the tomb. She arrives first. She calls the disciples. When they have seen and gone, she remains there. She is then blessed with the first apparition of the Risen Lord who immediately sends her to the Apostles. Peter and John had understood the fact of the resurrection. Mary Magdalene meets with the person of the Risen Christ Himself.
And this tells us what is most important in the eyes of Jesus. For Jesus, persons are more important than offices. Women knew how to care for Jesus as a person during His last hours and to accompany Him in His death and, beyond His death, in the tomb. Jesus did not take it for granted. He had already celebrated the woman at Bethany who had prepared His body for burial by pouring upon it a very expensive ointment. She had done what no one else had thought of doing. Now, He invited a woman – and with her, all women – to be first at the tomb and to meet Him first in His resurrection. He sent women to men with the good news of His resurrection. A woman gave to the Apostles the Gospel they would have to announce. Women were the presence of the Church as spouse and mother before men were given to represent Christ acting in the midst of His Church as Prophet, Priest and King.
On Easter Day, Jesus honoured a few women who had honoured and loved Him. One can say that, in a sense, He thus honoured all women, calling them to be with Him first on the side of life, on the side of the resurrection. Women have a special charism and mission for the service of life. They watch over life, from conception to death, and from Baptism to resurrection. We give thanks for all that they are in the Church. Their place in the Church is at the heart, not in the margins. They are called not so much to “do things” than to be fully themselves. The Risen Lord comes to them, and to all of us, inviting us to stand up, to live to the full, and to sing a joyful Alleluia to the praise of the glory of the Father.
Abbot Xavier