6-Apr-15

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:
In the verses in Matthew immediately preceding today's gospel, the two Marys encounter an angel at the tomb who announces that Jesus has risen and then shows them the empty tomb. The angel tells them not to be afraid and to go and tell the disciples what they have seen.
Filled with both fear and joy, they "run" to announce this incredible news.
Remember, these women had not yet seen the risen Lord but still they believed and began "running" to announce his resurrection.
While imagining this scene, can I reach into the depths of myself and find a healthy fear there along with great joy at the news of my Lord coming back to life? Does the news of Jesus' resurrection instill in me a need to "run" to tell others this incredible news?

"And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them."
Amazing!!!!
The very essence of our faith is manifested in this one scene. Jesus Christ has defeated the power of death.
Only minutes before they were devastated with sorrow at the death of one they deeply loved. Now, in a flash, they are confronted by that same person, alive and speaking to them.
At this moment, Matthew writes so calmly about what happens next: "They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage."
In my mind, the two Mary's knees went weak, they collapsed in front of Jesus, threw their arms around his legs and sobbed, "My Lord and my God...you are alive."
If I am not excited about His Resurrection then my faith and belief in Jesus is lukewarm and I will not be inspired to "run" to announce the Good News of God's love and forgiveness to anyone.
Recently, two young men from Xaverian High School were on furniture deliveries in Dorchester. When they returned to My Brother's Keeper, they excitedly shared with me that they each had presented a crucifix to someone they served with the words, "We're just the delivery people. This is the man who sent you the furniture."
Separately, I asked them, "How did you feel when you gave the crucifix with the message?"
In their own words, they both told me the same thing, "I was a little afraid but excited too."
Today, over 1,000 high school and college students from more than 100 schools serve at My Brother's Keeper. They come and discover that feeling of being a "little afraid and excited too" at the prospect of presenting Jesus Christ to others.
And then he told them, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone." Mark 15:16