On this Wednesday in Easter Week, we hear from the Gospel according to Matthew. This is his account of the resurrection:
After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.” This is my message for you.’ So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’
While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests everything that had happened. After the priests had assembled with the elders, they devised a plan to give a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, ‘You must say, “His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.” If this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.’ So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story is still told among the Jews to this day.
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. (Mt. 28: 1-16).
To be sure, there are many discrepancies in the New Testament Gospel accounts; however, the accounts of the aftermath of the crucifixion are consistent: (1) the tomb was empty; (2) Jesus rose from the dead; (3) “do not be afraid”; and (4) go and tell the others, that is, proclaim the resurrection.
The Gospel accounts are all consistent in this: Jesus' followers, the disciples, were ordinary people. The New Testament reveals the disciples, warts and all. The Gospel writers tell of the disciples’ cowardice when Jesus is crucified and how they made a hasty retreat. They tell how when the disciples encounter the empty tomb, they experience fear, not joy. Nevertheless, they overcome their fears and proclaim the Risen Christ to the world. They were ordinary people, just like like you and me. In short, there is hope for us all.
Let us pray: O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Please remember everyone on our Prayer List and especially Betty Robinson who is recovering from surgery.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.” This is my message for you.’ So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’
While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests everything that had happened. After the priests had assembled with the elders, they devised a plan to give a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, ‘You must say, “His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.” If this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.’ So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story is still told among the Jews to this day.
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. (Mt. 28: 1-16).
To be sure, there are many discrepancies in the New Testament Gospel accounts; however, the accounts of the aftermath of the crucifixion are consistent: (1) the tomb was empty; (2) Jesus rose from the dead; (3) “do not be afraid”; and (4) go and tell the others, that is, proclaim the resurrection.
The Gospel accounts are all consistent in this: Jesus' followers, the disciples, were ordinary people. The New Testament reveals the disciples, warts and all. The Gospel writers tell of the disciples’ cowardice when Jesus is crucified and how they made a hasty retreat. They tell how when the disciples encounter the empty tomb, they experience fear, not joy. Nevertheless, they overcome their fears and proclaim the Risen Christ to the world. They were ordinary people, just like like you and me. In short, there is hope for us all.
Let us pray: O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Please remember everyone on our Prayer List and especially Betty Robinson who is recovering from surgery.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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