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Noli Me Tangere (Don't Touch)
She saw the empty tomb and did repair
Into the field to ask the gardener
At dawn this morning at the sun’s first ray,
And weeping spoke: "they took my Lord away”
"Where did they take my master, please sir say,-
The soldiers fled in so great disarray,-
I need once more His body to attend.
And here have spices and some unguent".
The man turned round and Mary recognized
Her dear rabboni, but henceforth her Christ
And to her knees she fell prostrate and cried:
With boundless joy: “Oh master dear abide!
But he spoke: “Mary Magdalen don’t touch!
See our relationship has changed so much,
You can no longer hold on and embrace
In the accustomed and familiar ways“.
“Nor can you longer hug in reverence
His weary feet, nor can you touch His hands,
You can no more put loving arms around
The knees of Him who is now glory-bound.
Can no more press into His cloak your face
Who has transcended earthly time and space,
Him whom the angels thrill to hold His gaze
Whom the Almighty Lord was pleased to raise"!
Do tell your brethren not to cling so fast
And set their hearts too much upon the past,
The Living One will smash barrier and fence
As Lord of time, events and happenstance..
Unfathomable well-spring font and root,
That wills to be our future absolute!
The friend that our souls so yearn to meet
Will all expectances by far exceed.
Noli Me Tangere! - dear Magdalen!
Search not in sepulchers and do not scan
In graveyards for your risen Living Lord,
But dry your tears and go to spread my word.
O Mary Magdalene, exult, - rejoice!
The precious friend of your devoutest choice
Has risen from the dead,- but touch Him not-
All-permeating is your friend, our Lord and God!.
