Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021

“When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him.  And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb… As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.  But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here.  Look, there is the place they laid him.  But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.”  So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to any one, for they were afraid.”  From Mark 16: 1-8 (NRSV)

     These women had followed and cared for Jesus in life – in his ministries of healing, raising the dead back to life, caring, feeding the hungry multitudes, astounding the learned and the authorities with his wisdom and deeds of power.  They had observed his crucifixion and death and the placement of his body in this tomb to which they now came to render final care.

     And though not recorded in the ending of Mark’s gospel of the good news of Jesus the Christ, they did find their voice…

     So when the shock abates and the tongue tied up in terror is loosened, go, like these women, and tell your story of God's good news at work in your life through all sorrows , joys, hopes, disappointments, disrupted expectations - all of it.  For in all of it God has not abandoned you, and come what may, nothing can separate us from the love of God in the resurrected Christ. 

We give thanks to you, O God, for you are good and your steadfast love is ever faithful.  Amen!