Today’s representation is by Bondings 2.0 contribution Michael Sennett.
The ritual readings for the Easter Day Mass are as of today available here.
Mary Magdalene’s Easter morning excursion is a dramatic witness to rankings. Shaken by the look of an empty, clear monument, Mary is awash in a wave of panic. When she returns to find the various followers, she declares that Jesus has been removed from the tomb.
Mary Magdalene becomes aware of the identity of the Resurrected Jesus. ( Mosaic, Resurrection Chapel, Washington National Cathedral )
While Mary returns home while Peter and the precious disciple are gone, she is still there, trembling at the bare monument, consumed by the pain and early morning darkness. She faults the risen Christ for a handyman, until he calls out her name. Suddenly consoled, Mary experiences the delight of the resurrected Jesus. She travels again more, this time bringing the good news that the Lord has won the day and made himself known as the Son of God.
Following Mary Magdalene, we draw near the monument today to celebrate with wonder not just Easter Sunday, but also the Transgender Day of Visibility, and the last day of Women’s History Month.
Transgender and genderfluid people have a dual edged sword when it comes to rankings. Favorably, it provides knowledge of our struggles and successes, as well as the simple truth that we exist. Sharing our experiences strengthens the bond between us and fosters a resurgence of female awareness.
But, presence can also get transphobia and assault. Because they dared to live honestly, valuable lives have been taken from the earth. Transgender and nonbinary Catholic also go through the pain of being told that we are certainly deserving of God’s love and that our faith is rejected in worship organizations.
Visibility is variable, and transgender or nonbinary people may not always be safe to share our wisdom boldly in a situation or setting. I find comfort in knowing that we are accessible to God, who holds us in Her unwaveringly loving embrace as I navigate the darkness that the world has forced upon us.
Jesus also struggles with rankings. Mark’s church, which we are hearing at Sunday rituals this year, relies on the Messianic Secret. As Mark tells the stories of Jesus training, lecturing, and performing marvels, we learn that our Savior urges his supporters not to show his wisdom.
But Christ’s majesty is accessible to Mary Magdalene, a faithful servant. She recognizes and accepts him for who he is, as well as his affinity for and affinity with queer people. He surely did not adhere to traditional marriage standards of the time when he was in his 30s. Christ’s encouraged of the” another, “especially those cast out by world, caused controversy. He challenged inequity, literally and figuratively spinning furniture. Jesus ‘ career, lessons, and techniques were gay in response to the status quo. Mary Magdalene embraced him after he revealed her gay divinity.
When Jesus does make his truth known, his presence costs him his life. Unlike some disciples who fled, Mary was faithful in her testimony to Jesus’s awareness, through his life, love, and death. And she is right then witnessing the risen Christ.
Mary Magdalene receives Jesus primary, which shows how well known she is as a person in an unacceptably patriarchal society. Beloved, she is the Apostle to the Apostles, evidence that people are, and always have been, called to management in the Church, proper beside Jesus Christ, our risen Lord.
Only as Jesus recognized Mary’s presence, he sees us. We who are transgender, who sometimes have to conceal, are obvious to him as our entire selves, our trans identities consciously created by God’s fingers.
Beyond transgender characters in advertising, presence extends to diversification courses. Recognition of trans people’s souls and bodies is what gives them real awareness. It is seeing them as beautiful creations of God, not as wicked as a result of our gender, or as mistakes. Our life and life are intentional.
For me as a Catholic trans person, Easter is a time of joy and trust. It’s the joy that Jesus, who loves us so passionately, died for us and is risen, illuminating our wisdom from darkness. I want to encourage all Catholics to acknowledge and celebrate the visibility of disadvantaged communities and end the veil of invisibility that causes injustice in our Church. Then we can really acclaim that Christ has risen! Alleluia, Alleluia!
Content Easter, Trans Day of Visibility, and Women’s History Month!
—Michael Sennett, March 31, 2024
