Mary Magdalene first appears in the last Gospel at the cross. The first three Gospel writers show us Mary standing in the distance. However, the fourth Gospel moves Mary to the foot of the cross (John 19:25). This direction is theological. Lifted up, Jesus is already drawing His scattered disciples into the new family born in the blood of the Cross. Although John never mentions Mary Magdalene as following Jesus before this moment, he now shows her as refusing to leave Him.
All the Gospels report Mary’s visit to the tomb. Memories crowd their accounts. Details differ as their pen rushes to report the Resurrection. It is John who tells us the most of Mary’s Sunday morning visit. Though he writes after Mark, Matthew, and Luke, he passes on to us the best historical tradition of the event.
Each evangelist notes that when Joseph and Nicodemus bury the body of Jesus, there are women present (Matthew 27:61; Mark 15:47; Luke 23:55-56). Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses are there. They watch, but they do not take part in the burial. Jesus is dead. Her hope extinguished. Yet love remains. The male disciples have disappeared. No future; no presence. Yet Mary lingers.
Mark tells us that Mary Magdalene kept observing (Mark 15:47). She could not remove her eyes any more than she could withdraw her love from Jesus. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus entomb Jesus. Mary is already planning to return to anoint the body with spices once the Sabbath is ended. Evening begins to fall. The darkness thickens within. She returns home for the night.
Continued tomorrow.