A Reflection on Mary Magdalene at the Tomb

I remember a sermon many years ago by Pastor David Weible.  He made a remark, that Jesus didn't have a girl friend but if he had had one it would've been Mary Magdalene.  I remember another sermon by Tedd Inman who'd said that many who were musically inclined didn't really think much of the hymn "In the Garden," but once one became aware that it was written to be through the eyes of Mary Magdalene as she encountered the Risen Christ, one was better able to make a connection with it and get past its putative defects.
But John's description of the Resurrection is different than, say, Luke's.  Luke went to the trouble of naming several of the women who found the empty tomb, but John only singles out Mary Magdalene. He leaves out the women's encounter with the heavenly beings and instead has the encounter of Mary Madgalene in the Garden with Jesus.
To appreciate this, one must be cognizant of the fact that John's Gospel is very metaphorical in the sense that he uses a lot of symbols. One can read his account of the Baptism of Jesus, as a recapitulation of the creation of the world.  I suggest you read it and the beginning of the book of Genesis at the same time to understand what I am saying.
So back to singling out Mary Magdalene. She is symbolic for the Church, the Bride of Christ.  Because she is going to do the work of taking care of the dead, she finds the empty tomb.  Through her sorrow by the side of the tomb, her tears are the waters of creation.  It is through her sorrow that she is rewarded by seeing the Risen Christ.
Mary Magdalene's suffering was rewarded by seeing Christ, however fleeting that was.  Let us reflect on that on this very, very odd Easter.

He is Risen!