in the tradition
of those who practice
Judaism, today and long ago
18 minutes before sundown
each Friday
candles are lit
two
and lit by the lady of the home
one for creation
one for deliverance
no work is done until the first day of the week
because
the morning of the next day after candles are lit
begins a day of rest
they lay Jesus as those candles burnt
gently
and in the tradition of His people
He was anointed with the
100 pounds of myrrh and aloe they had brought
(Joeseph of Arimathea
and Nicodemus did that for Him)
they must have done it tenderly
carefully but
dolefully
and the tomb was then closed
barred with a heavy stone
rolled in place by a cohort of Roman Soldiers so
as to be impossible to move
two of them then stood guard all weekend
only one person came back on Sunday
of that entire coterie
of scared followers
it was the Mag’dalene
from whom seven demons had been cast out
it was she
Susanna
and Joanna that
provided for Jesus’ needs
using their own means
during His the days of His
three-year journey
she came to the tomb early
just before sunrise
to see the matter
that the men
had done
(I think she knew)
one day and an evening she had
been anticipating this moment as
the great Sabbath had now passed
she could
according to Mosaic Law
make the walk there
to where Jesus lay
she walked alone
(Joanna and Susanna may have come along)
the tomb was wide open?!
the stone was rolled away?!
flight of foot she ran back
and told Peter and John
who immediately split in that direction
to see for themselves
the Mag’dalene followed
Peter barged on in
John meekly and respectfully waited
but eventually did the same
after that pause and his sight of
the head cloth rolled up on the side where He had lain
then
back to their homes they fled in
having a confusion of heart
but the Mag’dalene stayed
stayed outside the tomb
weeping her heart into flowers
munificently
unconsolably
(do you weep)
tepidly and
after a long consideration
she gingerly placed a single hand on the tomb’s top lintel
and then peered in
there was brightness and two angels sitting
clothed in lustrous white
one at the foot of where had He had laid
the other at the head
why are you weeping
one angel said
doubtless, the
heart of Mag’dalene did leap
the men
who’d run off
missed
this sight
(why is that)
they have taken my Lord
and I don’t know to where
so I am sad
and confused
even to the point of…
the voice of a man
just then
was delivered from behind her and
said
woman
why are you weeping
who are you seeking
she thought it must have been the gardener and never
took her eyes off of the scene inside
while speaking aloud she said
sir, tell me where you have laid him
I will take Him away
Jesus (the supposed gardener) said to her
Mary…
oh what great delight
such assuagement for her
Teacher! she says as turning about and
then looking into those eyes she knew
that face of grandeur
in attempting to wrap her arms around Him in a display of that allayment
Jesus said
you must not hold on to me, Mary
though I understand
I have not yet gone to my father
please
if you will, dear
go to my other friends
tell them I
will be ascending to my father
your father!
to my God
and your God!
she then went to them
I have seen Him!
I have seen Him!
I have seen Him!
He’s alive!
when she was able
she told them of the things He said
when she was able
though in a quaver
though so aflame
though so convivial
the first to be born tremulously anew
Bob Young
23 Mayo 2017
7:08 am mst usa
there is nothing more to say
except thank you, Rusty A.
the first bump is the best
then there are all the rest
(Jesus is Love by The Commodores)
Julie, you come home now girl. It’s time. It’s time.
I can’t wait no more.
no, no I can’t.
some things just make ya cry, girl.
they do.
and you be one.
climb.
climb in that car.
drive south.
south ta Dallas.
we be waitin’ and
gonna have a party.
in your honor.
prodigal daughter?
and don’t you worry now.
it’s all gonna be fine.
just fine.
just can’t cry no more.
no.
the Lord will tarry,
just for you…
no.
