Jesus in Magdala
Matthew 28:8-15
I saw a lot of little ones all dressed up yesterday at our 9am Easter Sunday Mass. The weather was spectacular and they were so cute with their white dresses and crisply ironed shirts and pants. One particular little one, about 3 years old, daughter of a good friend, made a point of fist-pumping with me. But that wasn’t enough for her; she then wanted to touch elbows. And that wasn’t enough either! With a huge grin on her face that I could see even through her mask, she pointed to her cheek, obviously asking for a kiss. What a charmer! What happiness! What Easter joy! The kind of joy we hear in today’s Gospel.
Jesus is Risen! Yesterday’s story continues. Today Jesus is not only risen; He has appeared to others. Jesus meets Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, He greets them and they fall to their feet and do Him homage.
The guards apparently also see but their reaction is completely different. They run into Jerusalem to submit their report and then they accept money (let’s call it what it is – a bribe) to lie and spread a false report. Two sets of witnesses, two very different responses: one of faith and adoration, the other of denial and falsehood.
And that is the question for us today – which response do we take? How do we respond to the Resurrection? Do we accept Jesus’ Resurrection as the basis for our faith? Or do we pretend it never happened and try to undo other peoples’ beliefs? Do we believe it in one breath and then, in moments of crisis, we take the easy way out and deny? Do we let the ways of the world (money, possessions, popularity) get in the way of our spiritual journey?
It is all just a question of faith! And Easter Joy!