the e-Testament
Matthew 28: 1-10
Risen from the Dead
After the Sabbath, as the first light of the new week dawned, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to keep vigil at the tomb. Suddenly the earth reeled and rocked under their feet as God’s angel came down from heaven, came right up to where they were standing. He rolled back the stone and then sat on it. Shafts of lightning blazed from him. His garments shimmered snow-white. The guards at the tomb were scared to death. They were so frightened, they couldn’t move.
The angel spoke to the women: “There is nothing to fear here. I know you’re looking for Jesus, the One they nailed to the cross. He is not here. He was raised, just as he said. Come and look at the place where he was placed.
“Now, get on your way quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He is risen from the dead. He is going on ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there.’ That’s the message.”
The women, deep in wonder and full of joy, lost no time in leaving the tomb. They ran to tell the disciples. Then Jesus met them, stopping them in their tracks. “Good morning!” he said. They fell to their knees, embraced his feet, and worshiped him. Jesus said, “You’re holding on to me for dear life! Don’t be frightened like that. Go tell my brothers that they are to go to Galilee, and that I’ll meet them there.”
Reflection
Jesus rose from the dead.
He was betrayed by a friend, arrested as a criminal, the rest of his friends ran off and left him, he was tortured, sold out by the crowds who’d just welcomed him as their king, and he died on the cross. And then, he rose from the dead.
The Resurrection changes everything. It gives us our hope for eternity. It is the ultimate proof of God’s love for us. It sharpens the truth of every promise Jesus made. Our faith in the Resurrection of Jesus means that anything, no matter how difficult, is possible for God. It means that even if we’ve let him down, as the disciples did, he’ll still show us his mercy. It’s never too late to turn to him.
St John Paul II told us not to get discouraged, because ‘We are an Easter people and Alleluia is our song’. Good Friday has cast the shadow of the Crucifixion, and the cross is in the minds of Christians all year round, but we need to remember that we live our lives in the light of the Resurrection, guided by all Jesus taught us, comforted by the love of God, finding joy and hope even when things are really hard.
Happy Easter! Alleluia!
Clare Lewis
Salesian Communications Worker
Prayer
God our Father
Thank you for the gift of new life you gave us through Jesus your son.
Guide us to find new hope, new joy and new love in the people and places around us, especially in the hardest times.
Help us to forgive as you have forgiven.
Show us how to bring your hope and joy to others.
Amen