Do Not Be Afraid

The appointed Gospel reading for this Wednesday if Easter week is taken from Matthew, and it 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).

 

Fear is a mighty power that can rule our lives.  We are afraid of many things.  What will people think of me?  I can’t do it! People will make fun of me because I am a Christian. I am afraid to open myself to others. I am afraid to share my faith.  I am afraid to say that I have trouble believing.

 

But the angels say, “Do not be afraid!”  When Mary Magdalene and Mary encounter the Risen Jesus, he says, “Do not be afraid!”  These are the same words that the angels and the Risen Lord say to you and to me: “Do not be afraid!  Do not be afraid of what people will think; do not be afraid that you cannot do it.  Do not be afraid to leave yourself vulnerable.  Do not be afraid if people make fun of you. Do not fear if your faith is weak. Go out and proclaim that Jesus is indeed alive; he is risen!”

 

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.

 

CALENDAR REMINDERS

 

THE BIG BBQ IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER—SATURDAY, 3 MAY!  Tell all of your friends and neighbors about it—spread the word!  This year we will have 8 pit masters including our own Neil “Bigmista” Strawder.

 

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List and especially all of those who are discerning a call to ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church.

 

Your servant in Christ,

 

The Rev. Chester J. Makowski, Vicar

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550