Disciples, Apostles, and Saints!
Given all of the action that happens in Jerusalem—from disrupting the temple to the washing of feet, eating the Passover together with the one who would betray them, ominous teaching and comforting goodbyes, the disciples were still unprepared for the turn of events. The brutality and the grieving. Mary, among others, witnessed it all. Going where other disciples couldn’t.
She was best positioned of everyone to get all of the information. Catalog it. Figure out what to expect in the days ahead. She alone could speak to nearly everything.
And still, she didn’t expect resurrection.
The Passion and Easter, Crucifixion and Resurrection, the cross and the empty tomb: the story of Jesus dying and rising from the dead is central to our faith. And in its every telling is Mary’s witness, proclaiming the risen Christ that Easter morning.
What Mary expected says a lot about what we expect. Even when we’re taught by church: scripture, tradition, reason: we still struggle to expect resurrection. To expect Jesus rising from the dead. Actually keeping his word.
We shouldn’t call it a lack of faith nor dismiss it as skepticism. But our false expectations aren’t alone. Because Mary had the same. But she changed them and preached the Good News. So go ahead! It’s our turn.
With love,
Drew