In today's meditation,
I invite you to enter into the story of Jesus' death and resurrection and to experience it in a new light.
The narrative that many of us have been told around Jesus' death was that he died rejected by all and utterly alone.
You may have been told about the disciples falling asleep on the job while Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane,
Of Judas betraying Jesus with a kiss,
Of Peter denying Christ three times,
And of Thomas doubting after the resurrection.
Yes,
All of those stories are present in the Gospels.
And also,
Another story exists that for many reasons hasn't been emphasized.
Today,
I invite you to find yourself in the story of Mary Magdalene's faithfulness,
To imagine that Jesus was held in love and supported by her for the entire experience of his death and resurrection.
We will imagine four scenes together and connect with the emotions and experiences of Mary Magdalene.
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As we begin,
Take a deep breath and settle into a comfortable position.
Allow yourself to let go of any thoughts or distractions that may be occupying your mind and bring your focus to your breath.
As you inhale,
Feel your chest expand and your lungs fill with air.
As you exhale,
Let go of any tension or stress that you may be holding onto.
Repeat this cycle several times,
Inhaling,
Exhaling,
Allowing your breath to become balanced,
Rising and falling in an even rhythm.
Imagine that you are standing in a dimly lit room with a group of people relaxing.
You see Mary Magdalene kneeling before Jesus,
Holding a jar of fragrant oil.
She pours the oil onto Jesus' feet and begins to massage it into his skin.
As you watch this intimate act of devotion,
Notice the tenderness and care with which Mary anoints Jesus.
Allow yourself to feel the depth of her love and devotion,
The warmth in her heart,
And the gratitude and reverence with which she treats Jesus.
Hear Jesus say,
She has come to anoint my body before burial.
Wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world,
What this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.
Second,
Imagine yourself standing at the foot of the cross alongside Mary.
Jesus is being crucified.
Feel the heaviness of the moment as you bear witness to the suffering that Jesus endures.
Notice the sounds around you,
Yells from the crowd,
The sound of a hammer striking nails,
The gasps of the people who witness these horrible moments.
Feel the support of the followers of Jesus who are there to bear witness.
As you watch the scene unfold,
Notice the steadfast faith of Mary Magdalene.
Despite the pain and anguish and how unbearable this moment must be,
She remains steadfast in her love and devotion to Jesus.
Allow yourself to feel the depth of her commitment and the strength of her spirit.
As the scene shifts to the burial of Jesus,
Imagine that you are standing alongside Mary as she watches Jesus' body placed into the tomb,
As she marks the spot his laid.
Notice the solemn moment sorrow must be experiencing.
Feel the finality of the stone.
Be yourself to feel of saying goodbye to one of your dearest friends.
Take a deep breath in as you exhale,
Release of any sadness or sorrow that you may be carrying.
Finally,
Imagine yourself at the scene of the resurrection early in the morning.
Again,
Mary is there with fragrant oils and spices for burial,
Book-ending the experience.
As it began with an anointing,
So it ends with an anointing.
Yourself standing outside of the tomb where Jesus was laid to rest,
You see Mary Magdalene approach the tomb,
Her heart heavy with grief and the task ahead of her.
As she discovers that the tomb is empty,
Allow yourself to feel her fear,
Confusion,
And uncertainty when she speaks to someone that she thinks is the gardener.
But then,
Hear Jesus say her name,
See the joy and relief that floods her face as she realizes that it is him.
Allow yourself to feel the rush of emotion as she wraps him in a hug.
This moment is filled with awe and sense of love.
As you take a few more breaths in this space,
Allow yourself to continue to feel connected with Mary Magdalene.
Let her faith and devotion inspire you and allow her strength,
Resilience,
And unwavering commitment to guide you on your own spiritual journey.
Take a deep breath in and as you exhale,
Notice if you feel more centered and at peace.
Slowly open your eyes and return to the present moment,
Feeling awake to the presence of God.
