An Idle Tale

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’ Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened. Luke 24:1-12

Those first women, heartbroken as they might have been, still went to the tomb to anoint their dear friend. Love urged them on despite their desire to stay home and hide. They found the tomb empty and their lives were shattered once more. They were terrified by the sight of the messengers they encountered. Yet, despite it all, they became the first evangelists, carrying the good news of the resurrection, despite the disregard the others had of them. Their idle tales became the ground of our faith. May we be fearless in carrying the good news, despite how we are regarded, and in the face of ridicule and disregard.  Let us be like those brave, heartbroken, yet loving women.

Loving Creator, you plant your heart in us

and in that heart is a deep well of love

we are reluctant to use that great gift

yet you will always replenish us to overflowing.

When we are stingy with your great love

our love turns to anger and we hit or we hide

yet when we venture our with even a small measure

you make us fearless in carrying your good news.

Let us live like the women who came to the tomb

aware of all of our grief and carrying the spices

yet also willing to grasp that there is always more

and your love will restore and heal all that is broken. Amen.