“Don’t touch me!” Jesus cries out to Mary Magdalene as she reaches toward the risen Lord, in the lower register of this ivory plaque. The two figures are caught in a dance-like pose, with Jesus (at right) twisting away from Mary, who extends both hands forward. The lines of their swirling clothing are accentuated by a heavy border, carved to imitate embroidered pearls. The top register depicts an event that will take place later in the same day, when Jesus (center) meets two of his disciples (carrying walking stick, purse and water gourd) on the road to Emmaus.
One of Jesus’ most devoted followers, Mary Magdalene is among the first to discover Jesus’ empty tomb. In the Gospel of John 20:15, Jesus asks Mary, “Woman, why are you weeping?” when he finds her outside the tomb. Mistaking him for a gardener, she responds, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus appeals to her by calling her name, “Mary!” Suddenly recognizing him, she turns toward Jesus and cries out, “Rabboni!” (My Teacher). Jesus warns her not to touch him, for he has not yet ascended to the Father. Later that day, according to the Gospel of Luke 24, Jesus approached two of his followers on the Emmaus road. These men, however, are less quick than the Magdalene to recognize Jesus. It is not until Jesus shares a meal with these disciples that their minds are “opened” and they know Jesus.
The medieval French bishop Marbod of Rennes, writing not long before this plaque was carved, contemplated Jesus’ choice of Mary Magdalene as the first witness of the Resurrection:
Hymn of the Magdalene
Mary was Mother of the Lord And Lazarus’s sister was a Mary too, Both bright heavens to befriend men’s souls. The handmaid no way equal to her lady But shares her radiant name.
The one is the very symbol of repentance, The other the mother of all pardon. The one was the virgin of virgins, saint of all saints, The other had known all sin and company kept with sinners. One Mary bore the feet that the other held, weeping, And because she greatly loved she was purified of her stain… To her the risen Lord had first shown himself And made his first apostle A woman of ill fame.
(translated from Latin by Helen Waddell)
“Don’t touch me!” Jesus cries out to Mary Magdalene as she reaches toward the risen Lord, in the lower register of this ivory plaque. The two figures are caught in a dance-like pose, with Jesus (at right) twisting away from Mary, who extends both hands forward. The lines of their swirling clothing are accentuated by a heavy border, carved to imitate embroidered pearls. The top register depicts an event that will take place later in the same day, when Jesus (center) meets two of his disciples (carrying walking stick, purse and water gourd) on the road to Emmaus. One […]
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