Waiting for the kingdom of God

There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.

Now when evening had come because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid.

- Mark 15:40-47

On Saturday, we read about the death of Jesus on the Cross. He cried out in Aramaic the words from Psalm 22, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which is translated, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" Some thought He was calling for Elijah, others said to watch and see if Elijah comes to take Him down. And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, "Truly this Man was the Son of God!"

There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem. Once again, the Gospels tell us about the women. They are those faithful who have been with Him since His ministry in Galilee. Their love for Him is steadfast. He has shown a special compassion for women, and among His closest friends are the sisters of Lazarus, Martha and Mary. Over and over again we hear about the women who show their love for Him. Here they are present, waiting and watching, with Him even as everyone else seems to have deserted! These women remain His steadfast friends and followers, as they were supporters of His ministry.

Now when evening had come because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. If you think about it, we've been told of the glimmers of the faithful since His death: first, the centurion, then the women, and now Joseph of Arimathea. All of these are unlikely; none are His nominal apostles. The first was a soldier of the Roman Empire, one with command and authority. The next are the women who've been with Him since Galilee. And now, a member of the Sanhedrin; even, indeed, a prominent council member. My study bible points out that "not all members of the Sanhedrin are opposed to Jesus. Joseph of Arimathea is an exception, as is Nicodemus. Joseph was waiting for the kingdom of God, sympathetic to the message of Jesus. According to tradition, Joseph went on to evangelize the British Isles." It must have taken tremendous courage to go to Pilate and openly ask for the body of Jesus. Courage will mark the early believers -- those who will go on to establish the Church. Courage in the centurion, the women, and Joseph of Arimathea is a hallmark of great faith.

Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. My study bible says that Pilate marveled because crucified men usually lived for many hours, or even days, after being hung on the cross. We recall the final words others heard Jesus utter.

Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid. Customarily, says my study bible, "tombs were carved out of soft rock in a cavelike fashion, sometimes with several chambers. Then a flat, circular stone was rolled into a prepared groove to shut the opening." This image of Christ in the tomb has prompted liturgical beauty. In the liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, when the Eucharistic Gifts -- the bread and wine -- are placed on the altar, there is the following proclamation: "In the grave with your body, but in hell with Your soul as God, in Paradise with the thief, and on the throne with Your Father and the Spirit, O Christ You are uncontained."

Once again, we recall the words Jesus spoke Himself, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain" (John 12:24). Already, we can understand from the words of St. Chrysostom, Jesus is omnipresent, He is uncontained by the grave. And the faithful, we witness in the Gospel, wait. They do what they must, and what they know how to do. Each in one's own way, they declare their faith: the women wait and watch to do their part, the centurion makes his declaration openly, Joseph of Arimathea goes to Pilate to claim Jesus' body. Let us consider, then, this scene for ourselves. Do we always know how our Lord is working? Do we know the ever-present activity in all His works everywhere? Do we know what is being prepared for us in our lives? On this day of Preparation as pictured in the Gospel, let us consider what we do to be prepared for the day of revelation of God's purpose and plan. We wait in faith. We watch. We do what we must, as we are called. We "step up" to do whatever is ours to do. But mostly, through it all, we wait in faith, in the way He has taught: "Take heed, watch and pray, for you do not know when the time is" (Mark 13:33).