MESSENGERS OF THE RESURRECTION

“Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce the news to his disciples.” – Mt. 28:8

The Monday after Easter is always a weird day for me; Lent is suddenly over and summer is around the corner. The time for reflection and reform has ended, and we are called to embody joy in our daily living. Yet, reality seems to remain the same. My life could still use some reform, and the current affairs of the world seem to worsen. So what am I to do now? The Gospel for today gives us a lead.

After seeing the empty tomb, Mary Magdalene and another woman named Mary left to announce what they had seen to the disciples. Then, Jesus “met them along the way and embraced them,” encouraging them as they went to call the disciples who had fallen asleep. As I read this, I could not help but wonder why the risen Jesus didn’t just appear to the disciples in person – that seems easier and more of a shock factor for the doubters, no? Perhaps Jesus did this to affirm the importance and significance of these women as the first messengers of the resurrection. Biblical scholars call these two women prophets, disciples, and the first witnesses to the Resurrection. They simply shared the good news they had witnessed, not letting their status, or lack there-of, stop them. Their faith moved them to action. So, as we move into the Resurrection season, we are invited to be like them in sharing the good news. Sure, Jesus can reveal himself to others, but he chooses to use us, making us messengers of the Resurrection, too.

Where and with whom am I being invited to share the joy of my faith?
How can I step up in service and advocacy in the coming months?
What does it mean to me to be a messenger of the Resurrection?

Ana Lopez

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