After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. John 19:38 from John 19:38-42

After: A following word

‘After’: at a time later than something; when something has finished

If death itself is not shocking enough, there is the aftermath too. ‘After’ is the limp body, ‘after’ is the moving from the site of death, ‘after’ is the preparation of the body. All is about handling the body and the careful attention in following established rituals. Myrrh and aloes (about 100 pounds we are told) plus spices. Where Mary had anointed Jesus prior to his burial Joseph and Nicodemus anoint him at his burial, both similar acts of devotion.

That there was a garden at the place of crucifixion, that Joseph and Nicodemus showed so much care and attention and that the tomb was so close to the cross are all details that had escaped me before. What also comes to me is the silence, in my imagination, that these actions are shrouded in. Silence follows and seems a wholly appropriate response to death. A life has passed, a body lies inert. There is a weight akin to glory that is left, which reflects and respects the solid presence of a particular story and a particular face.

Threshold meditation

With an ‘after’ (or aftermath) in mind go to the threshold meditation.