Matthew 28:1-10

Matthew 28:1-10

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning,

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.

And behold, there was a great earthquake;

for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven,

approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it.

His appearance was like lightning

and his clothing was white as snow.

The guards were shaken with fear of him

and became like dead men.

Then the angel said to the women in reply,

“Do not be afraid!

I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified.

He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said.

Come and see the place where he lay.

Then go quickly and tell his disciples,

‘He has been raised from the dead,

and he is going before you to Galilee;

there you will see him.’

Behold, I have told you.”

Then they went away quickly from the tomb,

fearful yet overjoyed,

and ran to announce this 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.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, the mystery of your Son’s Resurrection far surpasses my understanding. I am comforted seeing how Jesus’ disciples reacted in different ways to his Resurrection. Some were slow to believe, some needed a personal encounter, and some saw and believed. Bring me to a deep faith in Jesus’ Resurrection.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Good News of the Resurrection: If Jesus did not rise from the dead, our faith would be in vain (1 Corinthians 15:14-20). While some modern readers of the Bible have tried to deny the resurrection by claiming that the disciples only imagined that Jesus was alive, the Gospel writers all strove to proclaim the reality of Jesus’ bodily resurrection from the dead. “For Matthew, the resurrection is not merely a symbol of faith reborn or of hope revived in the face of death. It is nothing less than the fulcrum of world history, the one event that changes everything. For this reason, news of the dying and rising of Jesus could not be contained to a small Roman province in the eastern Mediterranean. It was a saving message for all nations to hear and embrace” (Mitch and Sri, The Gospel of Matthew, 365).

2. The Women Encountered Risen Christ: Matthew tells us that Mary Magdalene and the “other Mary” went to the tomb of Jesus early on Sunday morning. The “other Mary” was the wife of Clopas, who was the brother of Joseph. This made her Jesus’ aunt. The women wanted to finish anointing the corpse of Jesus, something that was hastily done on Friday before the beginning of the Sabbath. They encountered the angel, who rolled back the stone, heard the Good News of Jesus’ Resurrection, and then went to tell the Good News to Jesus’ Apostles. The Risen Jesus met them along the way. “Instinctively the two women responded as every disciple should in the presence of the glorified Messiah: they bow in worship (see Rev 1:17). Bending to the ground, they take hold of his feet and render him homage” (Mitch and Sri, The Gospel of Matthew, 368). The risen Jesus will appear to his disciples in the upper room in Jerusalem and later in Galilee. In all of these encounters, there is an invitation to faith. It is an invitation extended to all of us: Will we believe in Jesus or will we continue to doubt? Will we hope in the resurrection or despair? Will we renew our love for Jesus or turn away?

3. The Inbreaking of the New Creation: The Resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the inbreaking of the new creation. Darkness reigned at the crucifixion, but now, light dawns on Sunday. “Creation has gone from darkness to light; a new age has dawned with the resurrection of the Christ” (Huizenga, Behold the Christ, 412). The material body of the First Adam has been transformed and glorified by the risen body of the New Adam. The resurrection of Christ’s body is necessary for our salvation. We share in Christ’s death and resurrection through Baptism. And this sacrament looks forward to our future resurrection. When we die physically, we die with the hope of the final resurrection, when our soul will be reunited with our body. No longer will our bodies be subject to sickness, sin, corruption, and death. They will be glorified like Christ’s Body!

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, on this Easter Sunday, help me to seek the things that are above and keep them ever present before my mind. You have raised me up to new life and made me a new creation through the sacrament of baptism. One day, you will bring me into your heavenly glory.

Living the Word of God: On this Easter Sunday, contemplate your journey of faith. When did you first believe in God and in his Son, Jesus Christ? When has your faith been tested? Is there anything testing your faith today? Ask God today for the gift of a deeper faith: “I believe, Lord, help my unbelief!” How can I proclaim the Resurrection to my family today?