Starts in Judaea immediately after crucifixion � MM is J�s closest disciple, his favorite � his consort, according to some. She�s tolerated by the male disciples because of J., but there�s an undertow of resentment, especially from Peter, who is next in line in his mind.
Fact is women are not meant to be educated or even in presence of single men � similar rules to Taliban and conservative mid-eastern cultures. But Jesus is a radical in most ways � in fact he shares more of his knowledge and understanding with MM than with his closest male disciples � the male/female energy is strong between them. They are close as they can be without being married. He won�t marry her because he knows what will happen next, and he hopes she will marry another, but knows she won�t. So the die is cast: he will give her everything he knows, his secret knowledge. She is becoming his equal�now she is a threat to Peter and the male hierarchy behind him. Why, she might even try to take leadership role after J�s death�
The unthinkable � a woman leader, preacher � it would destroy everything they worked for.
Then comes the crucifixion � she, with the other Mary and Salome are allowed to be on Golgotha as women will be allowed to take the body for burial. The male disciples are all in hiding. Joseph of Arimathea is able to come as a member of the Sanhedrin (and maybe with a little gold to grease palms).
This is the group that brings him to the tomb. They bring oil and herbs to anoint his body. They spend time with him. MM is overwhelmed with grief and won�t leave the tomb. This can�t be the end. Somehow something more needs to happen�some kind of miracle�hoping against hope that his miraculous powers will havwe somehow saved him from the finality of death�
Close to giving up, she departs the tomb, and meets the Gardener�but it is Him! They are reunited but he warns her not to �cling� to her (Greek translation of Noli me tangere) because he must conclude the business at hand � his destiny. She is the first to know, the first to understand, the first bringer of the Good News. The first true believer, the faithful one�
But of course they don�t believe her�Peter however has to double check, and indeed the body is gone�
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