Matthew 28: 8-15
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary 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 worshiped 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.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Radiating Love
“And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage.”
We do not know for sure who the “other Mary” is in today’s Gospel. I like to think it was Mary of Bethany, who had only a few days ago anointed Jesus’ feet with nard-perfumed oil. Here she falls and embraces his feet again. Maybe her hair even still smelled of the perfume, re-anointing Jesus with her gratitude and relief. And after this embrace, Jesus tells the women not to be afraid and to spread the good news of the Resurrection to the other disciples. Abundant love once again radiates far beyond the original recipients. Just as Jesus pours out the Holy Spirit on us, may we pour forth joy, gratitude, and love this Eastertide.
—Molly Mattingly is the Music Ministry Coordinator at Creighton University Campus Ministry and St. John’s Parish in Omaha.
Prayer
Break the box and shed the nard;
Stop not now to count the cost;
Hither bring pearl, opal, sard;
Reck not what the poor have lost;
Upon Christ throw all away:
Know ye, this is Easter Day.
—From the poem “Easter Day” by Gerard Manley Hopkins, SJ