Do Not Be Alarmed

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.’ So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Mark 16:1-8

It is Truly easy these days to become alarmed. Sometimes simple changes in routine can upset and bewilder us. And when big changes happen, when accidents or violence befalls us, or when storms descend upon us, we are alarmed. The angel tells the weeping women not to be alarmed. Easier said than done. God is truly with us at all times, yet we cannot help being human. The women who went out that first Easter morning were faithful and human, trusting and terrified. The angel's words were so positive and yet so jarring, they could not help but be afraid. Today, we hear that right in the middle of our worst moments, in the terror of the storms around us, the risen Jesus is with us. Our alarm is normal, and God's love is truly present in our worst storms.

Loving Creator, author of the winds and the rain

our world is turbulent with violence and storms

we are easily alarmed and ache to run to find safety

and You are with us in the darkest days we face.

We want every day to be sunny and without pain

yet the world is ever more divided and terrorizing

folks are arguing and battling seemingly all the time

and we are adrift in anxiety, worry and fearfulness.

Lord Jesus, be risen among us in our darkness

help us to move beyond our fears and worry

give us the strength to go out and love in your name

and carry hope and amazement as we go forth. Amen.