Mary Magdalene: Easter Morning

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

We learn that Jesus rose from the dead as kids; even non-Christians know the story of Easter, or at least the claim (hence the joke of “zombie” Jesus). But what about on that first morning, early on the first day of the week, almost 2,000 years ago? As Mary Magdalene and the other women went to dress the body of their friend and teacher, they didn’t know the tomb would be open and empty. They didn’t expect that moment. What was it like? This beautiful, reflective poem says it all.

Remember the garden

Afire with the morning light,

The scent of almond flowers

Redolent in the cool air?

Remember the chill around your heart

When you saw the cave’s open mouth;

The questions that flew

Like startled starlings in you head?

Remember the sweet odors of

Frankincense and myrrh

Wafting out of the dark,

the delicate tumble of the linen,

Left there as if meaning and emptiness

Were twin sisters at play?

Remember when you recognized the Gardener

For Who He Really Was?

How joy suddenly leapt in you, as if

A morning dove, surprised,

Took wing within your heart?

Resurrection would have taken

The breath out of anyone,

But it gave you the innocent happiness

Of a child possessed of a secret.

You ran all the way back to the others,

And, breathless with wonder,

Told them the secret too.

“He Is Risen!”