Idle Tales

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

We live in a world lies and false tales are used to cover up other lies and mistruths. We want the truth, yet we can have a hard time separating truth from fiction. When we are overcome, overwhelmed, grieving and feeling lost, nothing can seem true to us. The disciples were in deep grief and afraid for their lives after the resurrection. The women disciples went out to honor Jesus, despite their fears and grief. Their love overcame their fear. And for that, they were able to witness the great victory of love, the resurrection. We don't carry the exact same fears and losses as the disciples, but we can understand them for we too have deep fears and losses and no longer feel like we hear the truth. So, this truth is that God's love for the world overcame death and the grave for the whole world. Love conquered once and for all and that, my dear friends, is a source of endless joy and hope, even in our darkest times.

Loving Creator, you have conquered death

in your offering of your Son living like us

and dying, yet returning, so we might know love.

We have much to fear and many worries

sometimes we huddle in fear and despair.

yet even in the dark you call us each by name.

Help us each to know the true depth of your love

make us brave like to women disciples that morning

ready to open our hearts again to your truth. Amen.