Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

Gospel Reading: Matthew 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.

In today’s Gospel reading, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary learn that the tomb is empty. They had been told by an Angel that Jesus has risen from the dead. The gospel reading says the two woman “went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed...” The fear comes from the unknown and the great joy comes from the anticipation. On their way, Jesus met them and said, “Do not be afraid.” These two woman were frightened and when they met the Lord, they fell to their knees and took hold of his feet. Jesus immediately relieved them of their fear and disbelief. How do you react when you meet the risen Lord? During the Triduum and finally ending with Easter Sunday, we experience so many emotions starting with the Last Supper, the agony in the garden, the trial, the scourging, the crucifixion, the burial and finally the resurrection. Just think of the level of anxiety the disciples faced during this period. The two Marys had been through it all with Christ and now they were face to face with Risen Lord. We too have the same opportunity to experience the Jesus who rose from the dead to defeat death and give us everlasting life. We will find him on our knees in prayer and reflection. It is through our faith that we will encounter Christ and through the Holy Eucharist that we see Christ face to face.

The soldiers who guarded the tomb also witnessed the resurrection. The Gospel reading says that they went to the chief priest and he paid them money to lie about the events. “The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present day.” The chief priest did not want to believe, so they paid the guards to silence them. The experience of Christ is much greater and the chief priests can not deter the faithful. Even though the guards try to cover up the events, the encounters by others spreads like fire through a dry field. The glory of the risen Lord cannot be contained. We too must celebrate the Easter resurrection even though people try to convince us to deny Christ. The evil in the world tries to take over our faith and shake us off our foundations. It is our faith that forms the foundation of our belief. We must chose which story to believe? Our actions and our words tell others which story we have selected.  

A Simple Prayer

Oh most Holy Risen Christ.

I behold your feet.

Pass your blessing upon me

That I may share the glory of your resurrection.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon