F or Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, it is a fear of the unexpected and the unknown as they encounter an empty tomb.  “Do not be afraid! Then he gives them the mission to spread the news and let others know that they will encounter him.

Monday in the Octave of Easter

Acts 2:14, 22-32

Psalm 16:1-2a+5, 7-8, 9-10, 11

M atthew 28:8-15 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. (9) And behold, Jesus met them and said, "Hail!" And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. (10) Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brethren to go to Galilee , and there they will see me." (11) While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. (12) And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sum of money to the soldiers (13) and said, "Tell people, `His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.' (14) And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." (15) So they took the money and did as they were directed; and this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.

Meditation by Maureen McCann Waldron

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed . . . -- Matt 28:8

F rom the moment we are born, we are brought into a world of the unknowns - and fear becomes a part of our lives. Today's Gospel offers us two very different but very human looks at fear.

For Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, it is a fear of the unexpected and the unknown as they encounter an empty tomb. Just before this Gospel begins, the women are told by an angel, “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified.” They hurry away and their thoughts must been racing as they try to make sense of something incomprehensible. Jesus' body is gone? An angel has told them not to be afraid? What in the world has happened to Jesus?

And then he is there himself: Jesus is coming toward them, greeting them and we can imagine their stunned reaction and their joy as they embrace him. The first thing he says to them are the words we have heard him speak so many times, “Do not be afraid.” He is telling them to trust in him, to trust in this experience and in this unknown. Then he gives them the mission to spread the news and let others know that they will encounter him. Their fear has been turned to joy by the presence of Jesus in their lives.

The other fear is in the second part of the Gospel: while the Marys are hurrying back to the city, the guards, now wide awake and frightened, tell the chief priests what has happened. Jesus' body is gone! The elders and chief priests are also deeply afraid, but their fear is the kind all of us have rooted in the darker parts of our souls. Their fear is about losing power and control and having the people begin to believe in Jesus, this unlik ely King of the Jews. This kind of fear, so tangled in our insecurities and lack of trust, creates more complexities. Lies are created, money exchanged. In case the soldiers fear for their jobs, they are reassured: “if this gets to the ears of the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”

We can imagine the very different reactions to fear at the end of this story. Mary Magdalene running back, filled with joy, bursting with the incredible news for the Apostles: Jesus is alive! He is risen! In the face of their disbelief, her story of her encounter with Jesus will tumble out in joy and laughter and is rooted in the truth.

It is this same kind of knowing we see in the first reading as Peter feels the truth deep in his soul. It gives the timid and afraid leader the courage to fearlessly proclaim the story of the resurrection. Peter stands up and raises his voice loudly to tell to the crowd that God raised Jesus up, “releasing him from the throes of death.”

On the other side? The guards trudge home, puzzled, afraid of what they don't understand, afraid of being caught in this lie. The chief priests are soured with fears, lies and deceptions. Who among us can be trusted with the truth? Will the frightening truth leak out? Can we all keep our stories straight? What will we lose if people find out the real story? They move farther from the truth and the Good News of Jesus' life and resurrection.

Dear Jesus, on this great day after Easter, help us to hand our fears over to you. Today, in all of the terrors and anxieties that we face, both those that are real and those that are not, we ask for the light of your truth to shine in our hearts. Give us the sense of your presence deep in our hearts and fill us with your Spirit so that our hearts find a new courage to proclaim you with joy.

Supplementary Reading

Victory

But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ -- 1 Corinthians 15:57

G od wants to pour out His favor on you so that you can live in victory in every area of your life. The scripture says He always causes us to triumph through Christ Jesus! That means, no matter what you may be facing today, God wants to make you more than a conqueror. Are you battling sickness? God wants to give you healing. Are you struggling with a broken relationship? God wants to give you restoration and peace. Are you facing a need—physically, spiritually, or emotionally? God's favor will bring you provision and supply all your needs according to His riches in glory.

Many times in the Bible when God's people were going into battle, the worshipers were out in front of the warriors. When you choose to be thankful and bless the Lord in the midst of your battle, you are opening the door to His favor in your life. That's why I always say, magnify your God; don't magnify your problems! When you give praise to God, you'll see Him move on your behalf, and He'll lead you into victory in every area of your life!

Father in heaven, today I give You thanks for Your mercy and faithfulness in my life. Thank You for leading me into victory! I magnify You and bless Your holy name today. In Jesus' Name. Amen.  ---Joel Osteen

For meditation of the previous days/months , please click any of the following links:
http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com/
http://www.mabuhayradio.com/sections/the-daily-bread.html
http://butuanglobalforum.org/cgi-bin/dboard/YaBB.pl?num=1229339492/220

• 04/08/2010 13:34 - Apr 10, 2010 - Saturday Meditation (Power of Testimonies!)
• 04/08/2010 13:32 - Apr 9, 2010 - Friday Meditation (And I will run to You)
• 04/05/2010 01:42 - Apr 8, 2010 - Thursday Meditation (Shalom My Friends...)
• 04/05/2010 01:40 - Apr 7, 2010 - Wednesday Meditation (Road to Emmaus)
• 04/05/2010 01:37 - Apr 6, 2010 - Tuesday Meditation (That Your Joy Maybe Full)

• 04/03/2010 00:59 - Apr 4, 2010 - Resurrection Sunday (Tell the World that JESUS LIVES!)
• 04/02/2010 05:31 - Apr 3, 2010 - Saturday Meditation (From the Grave to the Sky, LORD I LIFT YOUR NAME ON HIGH!)
• 03/31/2010 21:25 - Apr 2, 2010 - Good Friday Meditation (Triumphant Defeats!)
• 03/31/2010 09:24 - Apr 1, 2010 - Maundy Thursday Meditation (Greatest Love of All!)
• 03/30/2010 02:50 - Mar 31, 2010 - Wednesday Meditation (Blessed with Jesus' Friendship!)