Thresholds

The text for the Narrative Lectionary is Mark 16:1-8. I will include Mark 15:33-41

I was reminded of Joseph Campbell and the monomyth concept where a hero crosses a threshold. Crossing the threshold is where "thee person actually crosses into the field of adventure, leaving the known limits of his or her world and venturing into an unknown and dangerous realm where the rules and limits are not known. You can read more about it here at the wiki site. 

Thresholds have always been important to me. When I have a difficult meeting or an important appointment, I am always mindful of stepping over the threshold of the doorway. I am mindful of my own attitude, my mindset, and my emotions. I try to take a breath as I move from one space to another. 

Space is important. And how we embody the space is determined very much by our expectations. What is the expectation of the women as they cross the threshold of the tomb? What is our expectation when we cross the threshold of God's presence in prayer, in worship, in relationship? 

As I imagine the women entering the tomb on Easter, I am wondering about how this may connect to the curtain being torn in two. These women have crossed a threshold that on a cosmic level has also opened. The curtain of the temple is torn, open access to the holy of holies. The way to interact with God has been torn open. Torn open - not a very soothing image, comforting image. The curtain wasn't drawn back. The curtain wasn't carefully removed and stowed away. No, it was torn.

When the women crossed the threshold into the tomb, they turned and ran away, telling no one because they were afraid. Do we... when we cross the threshold of being in the presence of God... do we also run away, telling no one because we too are afraid?

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