19. Jesus Appears to Mary (from The Passion of Christ: A Gay Vision) by Douglas Blanchard
“Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons.” -- Mark 16:9 (RSV)
Mary Magdalene went to the tomb of her friend Jesus early on Sunday morning. It was empty! She started crying and someone came up to her. Mary thought he was the gardener until he spoke her name. Her heart leaped as she recognized Jesus! People had wondered about her relationship with Jesus from the start. The bond that springs up sometimes between a gay man and a woman is incomprehensible to most. They don’t understand how a man and a woman can love each other without being sexual. And why would Jesus, who had many powerful male followers, pay so much attention to a woman? Yet he chose Mary as the first witness to his resurrection.
Jesus, where are you now? Will you speak to me?
___
More resources
Jesus rises on the first Easter (excerpt from “At the Cross” by Kittredge Cherry)
Next: 20. Jesus Appears at Emmaus
It’s not over! The series continues with appearances by the Risen Christ through Friday, April 29. These are some of the most creative and uplifting paintings in the Gay Passion series, so don’t miss it.
Happy Easter from Kittredge Cherry
and the Jesus in Love Blog!
___and the Jesus in Love Blog!
This is part of a series based on “The Passion of Christ: A Gay Vision,” a set of 24 paintings by Douglas Blanchard, with text by Kittredge Cherry.
Click here for the whole Gay Passion series or click the titles below to view individual posts in the series.
Introduction
1. The Human One (Son of Man) with Job and Isaiah
2. Jesus Enters the City
3. Jesus Drives Out the Money Changers
4. Jesus Preaches in the Temple
5. The Last Supper
6. Jesus Prays Alone
7. Jesus Is Arrested
8. Jesus Before the Priests
9. Jesus Before the Magistrate
10. Jesus Before the People
11. Jesus Before the Soldiers
12. Jesus Is Beaten
13. Jesus Goes to His Execution
14. Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross
15. Jesus Dies
16. Jesus Is Buried
17. Jesus Among the Dead
18. Jesus Rises
19. Jesus Appears to Mary
20. Jesus Appears at Emmaus
21. Jesus Appears to His Friends
22. Jesus Returns to God
23. The Holy Spirit Arrives
24. The Trinity
Scripture quotation is from Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Hi Kitt,
ReplyDeleteI've really been enjoying this series... I look forward each morning to viewing the pictures and meditating on your commentary. I'm already feeling a bit blue that this is ending soon!
It's strange to me how the oddest parts of a meditation can be the ones that draw our attention. That is the case with my response to the 19th meditation "Jesus Appears to Mary".
Today what strikes me most is the simple questions at the end. "Jesus, where are you now? Will you speak to me?"
These are questions I seem to be asking more and more these days.
That's really not true. I really don't ask "Where are you?" I'm asking "Will you speak to me? Why won't you speak to me?"
Anyhow the series seems to be what I need most these days, Kitt, so job WELL DONE! And I'm only sorry they end so soon.
With every post in the gay Passion series, I try to write a one-line prayer at the end to bring home the meaning of the scene. In this case it came as a flash of inspiration as I connected with the questions Mary might have had: "Jesus, where are you now? Will you speak to me?" Eric, I’m glad that these questions touched you. Surely many others have the same questions. Thank you for taking time to share your gratitude as a comment.
ReplyDeleteKeep asking those questions! You may be able to relate to the next scene, “Jesus Appears at Emmaus.” Like many, these friends of Jesus wonder where he went, and then they suddenly find that he was with them all along.