Go and Tell

Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid.

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 

Things are often not as they seem. We can never know people's true motivations for why they do something. When we guess as to the why, we are most often wrong. Human beings cannot comprehend the complexities and motivations of their loved ones, let alone those of their neighbors. We might think we understand everything, and have control over our own lives. Experience tells me that we can fool ourselves into believing that, only for so long.

The women who were close to Jesus came out to do their required tasks. The sabbath had passed so they were allowed to walk the required distance to the tombs. They knew what they would find and cringed and cried with anticipation. They probably talked about having money to bribe a guard or soldier to roll the stone away, and how to prepare for what Jesus' body would look and smell like. They did not know what was waiting for them. They must have been terrified! Yet, they ran with hope and joy to carry the good news. We are invited today, to be ready at all times to be shocked and awed with joy and to be carriers of good news.

Today, I ask God to give me an open mind and heart, willing to embrace all the new joys and surprises in store for me. May we live the good new by being open to new love and life despite the overwhelming tasks of our lives.