1.Was it different hearing the gospel, rather than reading it – how was it different?
2.What are the main points about the gospel reading that came to mind?
3. How has it affected you?
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We note that compared to other accounts – only Mary Magdalene is mentioned by name, though she says ‘We do not know…’ plural also in Gk.
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No mention of attending the tomb for the embalming – might it be her personal devotion that is being expressed – tradition associates her with the woman taken in adultery
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Evangelist mentions Peter and the Beloved Disciple running to the tomb – Peter goes in first. This establishes his ‘primacy’ – Peter is always the one to be up front, to put his foot in it, to get it wrong. Remember he had denied knowing Jesus, so he had every reason to be the first of the two men to look
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More significantly it is the Beloved Disciple (John) who looks AND believes
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John 1 – ‘we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son’ and also ‘But to all who received him, who believed in his name’. So seeing AND believing runs right through the 4th gospel
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Anthony Harvey – 4th gospel framed as a huge court case. The jury has to make up its mind. On the evidence given Jesus is the Son of God. Do you believe the defence?
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Darkness/Light; ignorance/ understanding; hidden/revealed; doubt/faith all these antithises are the devices John deploys throughout the Gospel.
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‘For as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead’
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The men return home – Mary Magdalene remains at the tomb
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2 men in dazzling clothes/angels (Mark & Matthew 1 man) – ‘biblical messengers’
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Mary then encounters someone she doesn’t recognize (John’s theme); Jesus calls her by name – then she recognizes him. Lovely hymn on this theme ‘do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name; you are mine’. Based on Isaiah 43, 1-4.
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Noli me tangere – Latin: ‘don’t cling.’ Let go. Allow me to complete – the summation of Christ’s divine task, and our salvation is the Ascension into heaven, when humanity is assumed into divinity – Irenaeus, ‘God became man so that man could once again become divine’ – our humanity is taken up to heaven and we become what God purposes for his humanity. As the Easter Exsultet says ‘heaven wedded to earth and all creation reconciled to God’.
