Lent and Easter: Ministry and Mystery
By Janine C. Hagan
Janine is the founder of Spiritual Systems, Inc. and the Editor-in-Chief of EcuMiniNet™ Online! Janine lives and works in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. She is a member of Edgewood Presbyterian Church, co-leads a Bible and an international/interfaith study group, and sings in the choir.

After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come see the place where he lay. The go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” (Matthew 28:1-7, The New Oxford Annotated Bible, New Revised Standard Version)

I was privy to hear about women’s concerns from an early age. Perhaps it came with the territory since I am the oldest of three children. However, my mother has always been active in our church as well as being a teacher and involved with women’s groups. There are some things that Mama has always done just as naturally as breathing; leading a Bible study with other women and ministering to and with older women are two of those “things.” These are rhythms that have carried over into my own life.

With that as part of my childhood understanding, it is natural that I should spend a good many of my adult years focusing on the parts played by Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary.” After all, they were the ones who saw and heard the angel. To me, it is a miracle that the two Marys were able to grasp the information correctly and not be totally crazed by the time they reached the disciples to tell them the news!

But what about the angel? I am wondering about this holy being and this awesome task of sharing information that was not “closure” or an ending to a story, Jesus’ ministry. But it was rather “disclosure”; a revelation. It was the beginning of another message, the Easter story. Now our focus is changed. It is transformed and we are wondering about the mystery rather than just “ministry” at least in terms of the life of Jesus Christ.

When are we like the two Marys? When is it that we have to clear our minds from shock and disbelief and grief to be replaced with incredible news? Will we be able to listen keenly so that we get the story straight? Will we be able to bear the message in a way that is true to the message itself? Will the mystery change the meaning of our memories?

When are we called to be an “angel” and carry a message that is so full of mystery that a lifetime of ministry and communication will never be enough time to “get the word out”? Will we stay focused on sharing news that is beyond our total understanding? Who are “angels” that give us those incredible revelations? Lent is for remembering…

Lent is the season of the forty days before Easter. During Lent we focus on the stories of the ministry of Jesus. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday and is the time where we remember the last week of the life of Jesus Christ. We celebrate the Last Supper on Maunday Thursday. Christ was crucified on Good Friday. On Easter Sunday, the colors used on our pulpits (alters in other traditions) are changed from purple (Lent) to white to indicate that this is one of the holiest days for all Christians. On Easter Sunday, we remember and celebrate the beginning of the mystery.

Ministry and Mystery. Lent and Easter. A scene with two women and one angel. Grief, fears, and an unbelievable message. Better than CNN, it was news that changed the world, forever.

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