The Mafa are an ethic group living in northern Cameroon, Africa. In the 1970's they created the Jesus Mafa project, as a catechetical tool, depicting the Gospel accounts to resonate with their own culture. Here is their picture of a handsome, comfortable angel greeting the animated and beautifully dressed myrrh-bearing women at the Easter morning tomb. O praise the Lord, all you nations, acclaim him all you peoples!! Psalm 117:2
And here is my rosary decade remembering the witness of these faithful women friends of Jesus. A little mediation is offered between each Hail Mary to help us stay focused. Thank you for your good prayer.
Our Father...
The number of women who approached the Easter morning tomb of Jesus varies: two, three, five, eight? It doesn't matter. What matters is that these women, who are referenced in a number of other gospel places, loved Jesus. May we be counted among them.
Hail Mary!
These women witnessed the awfulness of Good Friday. St. Matthew's Gospel tells us at first that Mary of Magdala and the other Mary simply sat in front of the tomb. They kept a kind of vigil. Perhaps they asked themselves, "What now?" But then what? What did they do between Friday night and Sunday morning? They did the things of love — preparing the embalming spices they would carry on Sunday.
Hail Mary!
They carried clay jars of ointment and spice. Women often carry things when they visit: a gift for the new baby, a housewarming gift, food they've prepared for a church dinner or funeral luncheon. May we learn generosity from them, and carry within ourselves hearts that help others to feel included and valued.
Hail Mary!
The women hurried away from the tomb — they ran. In some Eastern Christian churches at Easter, the priest seems to run around the sanctuary during the liturgy in imitation of them. In our culture people run to horde things out of fear, run to get more food or to be first in line, run to make money, run to get wars underway. May we have hearts that run to help, to serve, to love.
Hail Mary!
These women knew each other as friends. We never hear of contention among them (except maybe a little grumbling when Martha feels her sister Mary isn't pulling her weight when Jesus visits). By contrast, the apostles are frequently arguing, jealous and suspicious of each other. May we bring the friendship of the myrrh bearers to our parish communities.
Hail Mary!
Because they were sent to the apostles with Easter news, the myrrh bearers are called Equal to the Apostles. But if women in the church are given that lofty recognition, then they ought to have a voice. In many instances women are silenced, shut out and marginalized. May the church model the voice-giving of Easter.
Hail Mary!
In the ancient world a woman could not be a witness in court — she could never testify to what she'd seen or heard. What does it say then about the reality of Christ's Resurrection? If the Easter accounts are a fabrication, the authors would never have written women into the story as witnesses.
Hail Mary!
As the women approach the tomb at dawn they expect to encounter death. "Who will roll away the stone from the tomb for us," they ask. But instead, and to their surprise, they receive a message of life. Might I allow God to surprise me — not like some kind of lucky charm that brings me good fortune, but can I imagine allowing God to surprise me with a change of mind and heart about something which I was so stubbornly resolute.
Hail Mary!
One Easter hymn speaks of the myrrh bearing women as stopping the lamentation of Eve. Their witness turns things around. May we pray for those who weep, who shed painful tears for the great losses they suffer — the women of Ukraine who weep for their husbands, children, parents, homes, friends, neighbors, gardens, animals, churches.
Hail Mary!
These women are not only courageous but defiant. The tomb was sealed on Friday and that was supposed to be the end of it. Soldiers guarding the tomb would make sure of it if necessary. But the myrrh bearers seem fully prepared to say, "No, we're not finished yet." Pray for the defiant women of Russia who have been whisked off to jail, court dates, and the threat of long prison time for protesting the evil being perpetrated upon their Ukrainian neighbors.
Hail Mary!
Glory be to the Father
