The Easter story begins in darkness in John’s Gospel as Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb. We’re not told why she is there, but can guess it was to be alone to grieve. A number of surprises await her. The first is that the large stone used to seal up such a tomb had been removed, suggesting foul play of some sort. Mary goes and alerts the male disciples who also come to the tomb to investigate. The body of Jesus is missing.
Mary returns to the tomb, drawn to it like a moth to the light. The new day is dawning and light is steadily replacing the darkness. Mary sees someone that she assumes to be the gardener and asks him if he has taken the body away. Then just a single word – Mary! – is enough to waken her from her grief. She knows that voice – it is the voice of Jesus speaking to her.
She is given a task and a message – go and tell the other disciples that Jesus is indeed alive again and is returning to God, to his Father and their Father. Mary has the privilege of being the first witness of the risen Jesus, playing a key part of the Easter story in each of the four Gospel accounts.
Mary’s role seems so appropriate in this new chapter of the story as it moves from darkness to light, from death to life and from despair to hope. The new movement that will soon enough turn the whole world upside down – inspired by the life, message, death and resurrection of Jesus – will break down barriers between men and women, between Jews and pagans and between slaves and free. All people are acceptable and all are equal before God. And Mary is the first witness of this new day.