Daily Readings - Mon Apr 02 2018
Gospel - Matthew 28.8-15
Matthew
8And they went out of the tomb quickly, with fear and in great joy, running to announce it to his disciples9And behold, Jesus met them, saying, "Hail." But they drew near and took hold of his feet, and they adored him10Then Jesus said to them: "Do not be afraid. Go, announce it to my brothers, so that they may go to Galilee. There they shall see me.11And when they had departed, behold, some of the guards went into the city, and they reported to the leaders of the priests all that had happened12And gathering together with the elders, having taken counsel, they gave an abundant sum of money to the soldiers13saying: "Say that his disciples arrived at night and stole him away, while we were sleeping14And if the procurator hears about this, we will persuade him, and we will protect you.15Then, having accepted the money, they did as they were instructed. And this word has been spread among the Jews, even to this day
Sermon
In today’s Gospel, we witness the profound moment of the resurrection through the eyes of the women who visited Jesus’ tomb. They encountered an angel who announced Jesus’ resurrection, and as they hurried to share this joyous news with the disciples, they met the risen Lord Himself. Jesus greeted them warmly and instructed them to inform His brothers to gather in Galilee, where He would appear to them. Meanwhile, the guards, fearing repercussions, were bribed by the religious leaders to spread a false narrative that Jesus’ disciples had stolen His body during their sleep. This lie, though baseless, has persisted among some to this day.
This passage highlights the contrasting reactions to the resurrection: the women’s fear and joy turning into faith and obedience, while the religious leaders resorted to deceit to maintain their power. The women’s role as the first messengers of the Gospel underscores their trustworthiness and the significance of their witness. Conversely, the leaders’ actions reveal the human tendency to cling to control and status, even through dishonest means.
In our daily lives, we often face moments of doubt and fear, much like the women and disciples. Yet, the resurrection reminds us of God’s triumph over darkness and death. Like the women, we are called to trust in God’s plan and spread the Good News, even when faced with skepticism or opposition. The moral lesson here is clear: in times of uncertainty, we must hold fast to our faith and trust in God’s providence. Let us strive to be truthful witnesses of God’s love, just as the women were, and may we find the courage to share the Gospel with a world in need of hope.