Huddled

Jo Penn March 21, 2024 5 3

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Matthew 27: 57-61 (NRSVA)

57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. 58 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 59 So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.

Mary Magdalene stands with the women, looking on:

"Huddled together, we watched, we heard the death cries of men that day. After political posturing by bigwigs of all sides, the experienced team of executioners got to work. The gathered crowd noisy with jeering, insults and foul language whilst jockeying for position to get the best view.

We felt the charged air, witnessed the emotions displayed by faces in the crowd: some on duty, dressed in uniform, others passing by on the road to the city, curiosity calling their troubled glances. Family groups, shielding the violence from young eyes, other youths being shown deliberately by a stern elder, a lesson in keeping on the right side of the authorities.

We women stood in solidarity, not just friends of Jesus, but others maybe lovers, mothers, daughters of the two thieves whose final gasps of life were lived next to our Lord, our friend, our hope.

As women: we strive, we nurture, we witness. Our lives are not divorced from death — we have seen it up close, smelt it, been part of its struggled mix of pain, raw edged broken physicality, incoherent screams, resigned final breaths — as we prayed for a peaceful passing. Acutely aware our own lives are dependent on the graciousness of God against violence, sickness and scarcity. Weekly sabbath meals remind us of the miracles in the desert, the chosen place our people have in relationship to God, our long line of ancestors.

Joseph, may God bless him, was the only one who could have had the access to Pilate, to do what Jesus’ own earthly father named Joseph could not do — to bring the body, yes, I have to say it, back and care for it as best we could in the time left before sundown.

I am so thankful to Joseph and to Nicodemus, for finding this place for Jesus to rest — the new-hewn tomb, its first inhabitant.

Good night my dear one."

Prayer:

Lord God,

Thank you for those whose generosity of spirit and kindness of heart has provided dignity and honour to us, and those we love, in times of trial.

Amen