The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

(The angels) said to (the Marys), “Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here, but he has been raised. Remember what he said to you while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners and be crucified, and rise on the third day.” And they remembered (Jesus’) words.

-Luke 24 5b-8

Abject defeat. The man they believed – no, KNEW – to be their Messiah, the Promised One, the Christ, King of Kings, was well and truly dead. In mourning, brave women approached his tomb even though everyone else who loved Jesus was in hiding. But found it empty. Now despair had turned into outrage. They must have thought something like, “Not only have they killed him, they’ve stolen his body!”

How soon they had forgotten, or perhaps never truly understood, Christ’s words. Two angels came to remind them, though. Armed with a divine message, they set forth, the first Christian missionaries.

Are you waiting for angels sitting on a tomb to get you started? Jump on in, the water is terrifying.

God of our fathers, please bless us with surety and courage to proclaim your son even under pain of death. Grant us your graces today, and everyday. Remember the faithful departed, especially those who have no one to pray for them, who no longer need to fear death. For in the power of Christ’s resurrection, we, too have power over sin, whose wages are death. Amen.