Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint 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.
Joyful
1. Fearful but happy. This is the feeling of the women of whom the Gospel speaks. Today, you and I might also feel like that. We know that all is not yet well, but we are joyful because we know that Christ is alive. That joy is in your heart. Give yourself permission today. May your head and your heart be filled with joy and with what makes you happy. The worries are always there, the fears are always around in our head, but today let’s allow joy to take over. Try to have a joyful attitude today.
2. Jesus. He appears to the women and is close and understanding. Jesus invites us to share his life and to have faith in him. He comes to remind us that faith in Him implies life and proclamation. A Christian is not a believer in an ideology, nor is he a graduate in any particular field; a Christian is a witness. That is why Jesus appears to them, so that they may proclaim what they saw and heard. Today, seek to meet Christ in order to communicate Jesus with your life.
3. Rejoice. Easter is Christ’s passage from death to life. We must make that passage, too. Today, take the step in that direction; remove from your soul anything that causes pain and which is leading you to live as if you were dead. Leave behind anything that doesn’t do you good or that may be toxic. You must be a missionary of God and the key to your mission is the joy in your life. I must admit that we, Christians lack this. There are times when we, Christian missionaries, seem bitter rather than joyful. We must announce Jesus with a positive and joyful attitude.
Never forget that something good is on the way!
May God bless you and be with you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
