Women at the Empty Tomb

When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” Mark 15:47-16:7 

There are times when we have to go, when we have to participate even when we know it will be terribly hard. As priest and bishop, there have been many times when I would rather not have had to identify a burnt body or be in the midst of folks after a terrible accident. As a mother and friend, there are places I was called to which I felt reluctant to go. And yet I did go. Love makes us go and give us the strength to get through our worst days. Love compels us to be those who come to the hard, rough places so that there might be light and comfort. Love gives us strength when we have nothing else.

The women who went out to the tomb went because of love. They avoid the scene of horror, would rather be doing other things like the disciples. Love compelled them to prepare the spices and go to the tomb. They were doing the right thing and also the most loving thing. For their love they were the first to see the empty tomb, first to hear of the resurrection, and first to carry the story back. Love made them do a hard thing and love gave them back their hope and joy. God promises that when we are doing the work of love, we will find renewal and life, even in the darkest places, in the worst of times.

Today, I ask God to help me do the work of love. May we have courage to go into the dark places and hard times sot hat others might have their hope and faith renewed.