I was the Jewish equivalent of a Christmas-and-Easter Christian. Then I met Jesus on the trail.

We should see this passage as early Jewish Christians recognizing their own, internal dividedness.

Easter is also a reminder, one we do need, that bad news is never the last word.

Young and old, educated and mentally impaired, healthy and addicted, they wrapped strong and weak arms around us and they held us up.

The Gospels unanimously report that the risen Lord first appeared to Mary Magdalene.