13-Apr-20

Gospel MT 28:8-15

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb,

fearful yet overjoyed,

and ran to announce the news to his disciples.

And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them.

They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage.

Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid.

Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee,

and there they will see me.”

While they were going, some of the guard went into the city

and told the chief priests all that had happened.

The chief priests assembled with the elders and took counsel;

then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers,

telling them, “You are to say,

‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’

And if this gets to the ears of the governor,

we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”

The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed.

And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present day.

Reflection

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed,

and ran to announce the news to his disciples.

Experiencing fear and joy at the same time is not unusual.

We all have experienced the fear of letting go of something that has held us captive while at the same time anticipating the joy that promises to accompany something new.

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were on fire to share the news of Jesus rising from the dead.

The same is true for us when we first come to the realization of Jesus “rising” in our hearts; we too have a burning desire to share the good news with all we know.

And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them.

They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage.

Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid.

Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee,

and there they will see me.”

At the sight of Jesus, the fear of the cross and of the tomb faded and hope and joy filled their hearts.

Today, our world is full of fear; we are surrounded by an invisible virus. Our comfortable lives have been disrupted. Fear of death hangs in the air just as it did with the disciples who were hiding in the upper room.

But fear brings a new awareness of the things that are of genuine value: quality time with family, the welfare of our friends, neighbors and those less fortunate, the self-sacrifice and bravery of those who give of themselves and risk their own health and even their lives for the sake of others.

Jesus sent Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to His disciples with the words, “Do not be afraid…..”

Today Jesus says the same thing to you and me…..”Do not be afraid.”

Like those early Christians, we can go forward with confidence that our faith in Jesus Christ will give us the strength to face our fears.

We too can be filled with the joy and hope of a new and rewarding life, secure in our fresh awareness of those things that are most meaningful to us and to the God who created us.

“Let go of the past: hold fast to the lessons it taught you.” Unknown