I once viewed a movie that was titled "I Was There" and have since remembered it, each time the Lenten Liturgical Season revisits me. It was a story about the Early Church, who one by one, were being dragged off to be tortured and killed because they believed in and followed the Risen Christ. Those who followed Him began to feel discouragement at learning that more and more of the Apostles had been arrested and martyred. The movie centered upon Mary Magdalene, who had followed the Lord faithfully. She too was beginning to be discouraged.
Mary Magdalene left her hometown, unsure of the future, now that she had heard some more disturbing news of recent Christian Martyrs. On her way, she came upon a Christian Community who welcomed her into their town and invited her to share the Lord's supper in one of their homes. She hesitatingly went and witnessed a young priest, gathering those in his home around the table prepared for the breaking of the bread. He began to speak of what he had heard about Jesus from others who had known him.
As he spoke, Mary began to remember her time with Jesus and all he had promised. She remembered Calvary and she remembered going to the Empty Tomb and finding the Risen One. She remembered how she went to tell the others that he was alive.
Hope began to return to Mary's heart and she said to the assembly "I was there." At this, the young priest asked Mary to share her memories with them. She became a beacon of hope to that Early Christian Community.
As we travel the next 40 days of Lent, I pray that I may relish each Lenten reading, scripture passage and Liturgy as they recall the real events that happened during the time of Christ. I wasn't there, but I am grateful for those who were and who passed on the Faith down the many centuries to this day. I am grateful for the hope that they held in their hearts, even amidst terrible suffering. If not for them, if not for the Church, how would we ever know?
Mary Magdalene left her hometown, unsure of the future, now that she had heard some more disturbing news of recent Christian Martyrs. On her way, she came upon a Christian Community who welcomed her into their town and invited her to share the Lord's supper in one of their homes. She hesitatingly went and witnessed a young priest, gathering those in his home around the table prepared for the breaking of the bread. He began to speak of what he had heard about Jesus from others who had known him.
As he spoke, Mary began to remember her time with Jesus and all he had promised. She remembered Calvary and she remembered going to the Empty Tomb and finding the Risen One. She remembered how she went to tell the others that he was alive.
Hope began to return to Mary's heart and she said to the assembly "I was there." At this, the young priest asked Mary to share her memories with them. She became a beacon of hope to that Early Christian Community.
As we travel the next 40 days of Lent, I pray that I may relish each Lenten reading, scripture passage and Liturgy as they recall the real events that happened during the time of Christ. I wasn't there, but I am grateful for those who were and who passed on the Faith down the many centuries to this day. I am grateful for the hope that they held in their hearts, even amidst terrible suffering. If not for them, if not for the Church, how would we ever know?
Mary is bent, huddled, distraught at the disappearance of Jesus' body. Then she hears her name spoken, and turns, looking upward to Jesus standing behind her. This poignant image captures the moment of Mary's incomprehension, as she hears her name spoken by someone she knows is dead. After all, she has been present at the crucifixion of Jesus, seen his sagging body removed from the cross, and been the one who laid out his corpse in the tomb. But now, inexplicably, she recognizes his voice.
'Christ Appearing to Mary Magdalene at the Empty Tomb', artist unknown
'Christ Appearing to Mary Magdalene at the Empty Tomb', artist unknown
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