1 April, 2024 | Monday in the Octave of Easter
Reading 1: Acts 2:14, 22-33
Gospel Mt 28:8-15
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb,
fearful yet overjoyed,
and ran to announce the news to his disciples.
And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them.
They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage.
Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid.
Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee,
and there they will see me.”
While they were going, some of the guard went into the city
and told the chief priests all that had happened.
The chief priests assembled with the elders and took counsel;
then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers,
telling them, “You are to say,
‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’
And if this gets to the ears of the governor,
we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”
The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed.
And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present day.
Reflections:
At the exhortation of the angel, the two women, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, ran 'quickly' to tell his disciples. The Gospel tells us that they ran with "fear and great joy". These two emotions can be compared to a young woman who is pregnant for the first time. Obviously she is afraid because it is the first time for her; at the same time she is filled with great joy as she anticipates the arrival of her newborn baby. She can also be compared to a girl who is about to get married. She is afraid to leave her parents and the comfort of her familiar home, and the future is unknown to her; but she is also filled with great joy because she will be settling down in marriage to raise a family of her own. We can see that the evangelist gives emphasis on joy rather than fear. Good news cannot be kept inside, it must be shared immediately. We have the most beautiful example in our Blessed Mother who went to greet her cousin Elizabeth with 'haste' and at that moment the child in her womb leapt for joy.
Activity:
Sieze every opportunity to proclaim the Gospel through word or deed
Comments
Post a Comment