Written by clergy and lay people across our Diocesan community, ‘Sunday Devotions’ is a column of short reflections based on a Lectionary reading of the day, suitable for small group discussion or personal use.
Main Readings: Acts 10.34-43 or Jeremiah 31.1-6; Psalm 118.1-2,14-24 or ‘Hymn to the Risen Christ’; Colossians 3.1-4; Matthew 28.1-10
Supplementary Readings: Isaiah 25.6-9; Psalm 114 or ‘Hymn to the Risen Christ’; 1 Corinthians 5.6b-8; Luke 24.13-49; Psalm 113; Exodus 12.1-14; Romans 6.3-14
“Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’ ” (Matthew 28.10)
Last year my husband and I walked the Camino de Santiago, or The Way of St James, an ancient pilgrimage route from the foothills of the Pyrenees in France to Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in Spain, where the apostle James is said to be interred. It was overwhelming, both physically and spiritually, as we experienced the significant highs and lows of such a long and arduous journey.
In today’s Gospel story, the two Marys, upon reaching Jesus’ tomb, felt an earthquake and were met first by an angel and then by Jesus, who told them to go and tell his disciples that he had risen from the dead. How the exhausted Marys were able to make their way to the disciples without being completely overwhelmed by what they had experienced that morning, and in the traumatic days prior, amazes me. What incredibly strong and faith-filled women they must have been to endure the lows and highs of such a journey.
The women had gone heavyhearted to visit the tomb of a dead man whom they loved, but ended up being given the joyful task of proclaiming the news that Jesus Christ was risen. Together, the Marys were able to put their emotional upheaval aside and listen to Jesus as he said, ‘Do not be afraid’. Can we lay our own earthly cares, our emotions, aside and do the same as we celebrate Easter Sunday together today?
Let us be like the two Marys, encouraged by Jesus to run and tell others of the risen Christ.
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