Second Reading 1 Corinthians (15:29) 30-41
Gospel Reading Matthew 28:1-16
1After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. 5But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” 8So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
11While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests everything that had happened. 12After the priests had assembled with the elders, they devised a plan to give a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13telling them, “You must say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14If this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story is still told among the Jews to this day.
16Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.
Do not be afraid. We’re afraid when we’re in the presence of something unfamiliar, even if it’s something good. Both the soldiers and the women are afraid. Yet the soldiers are so afraid that they don’t even hear the words of assurance. They run to their superiors who hatch schemes to deny what has really happened. They’re afraid for what this means. If Jesus is risen, what does that do to their power? What does that mean for all the things they have said? What does it mean for the things they had built their lives on? Sometimes receiving the truth is one of the hardest things we can do. That’s why they lie. Those in power fail. But the women sit with their discomfort, their fear, long enough that their fear turns to joy. Even in their fear they wait long enough for God’s resolution. Can we do the same?
Gracious God, we watch for you, more than those who watch for the morning. Let our worry and anxiety melt away in your presence; and let our mourning turn to joy, in the good news of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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