On this Monday in the Octave of Easter, with the fragrant incense and Easter lilies fresh in our minds, we hear Matthew’s account of Mary Magdalene and the other Mary immediately after they have discovered the empty tomb.
It’s no surprise that they were both fearful and overjoyed as they ran to announce the good news to the disciples. It’s in this state and urgency to get to the disciples that “…Jesus met them on the way and greeted them.”
They did what was right and natural to them, as “…they approached, embraced His feet and did Him homage.” For 21st-century people, it goes against social convention to imagine the two Marys embracing someone’s feet and doing homage because in some places and cultures, we have drifted from understanding that worshiping and expressing devotion to Jesus is proper to Him.
Jesus' Reassurance
In response, Jesus compassionately reassures them to not be afraid. Sometimes our experience of God and realization of our call to holiness seems so clear and doable on Christmas day or Easter Sunday within the sacred walls of our parish church or a chapel like this one.
But our leaving these holy places and the support of the parish community and/or confronting challenges in the hours and days afterward can cause us to be afraid—afraid to live in imitation of Jesus.
This is when we need to hear Jesus’ words to the two Marys: “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
Jesus offers us the same words of encouragement and instruction, to not be afraid to tell our family members and friends where they can meet the One who has given His life to save us and open the gates of Heaven.
The Encounter with Jesus
Easter Sunday and the Easter Season, including Divine Mercy Sunday, is a tremendously grace-filled opportunity to overcome our fears and be able to share the joy of this season with our family and friends.
It’s a time to invite them to come with us to Mass to meet Jesus and our brothers and sisters in Christ. As I looked out at the congregation on Easter Sunday, I was so pleased to see so many people of all ages nearly filling the church.
But the few empty spaces are our reminder to follow Jesus' instruction to not be afraid and to joyfully talk about Him with family, friends, and even people we seemingly randomly but providentially meet, to invite them to come and to see Jesus at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass…so that we can all give Him homage and be nourished by the Word of God and the Eucharist as one Body of Christ.
For though we may be fearful at times, let us be joyful and faithful enough to spread the Good News of Jesus…that’s how we’re called to celebrate this Easter Season.
- Father David's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and the Rosary at the 30-minute mark) on the Family Rosary YouTube page.
- To join the Rosary and Mass Livestream, visit the Family Rosary YouTube or Facebook page at 11:30 a.m. Eastern, Monday – Friday. Consider inviting others to join too! (*If you are not a member of Facebook and a signup window appears, simply select the X at the top of the pop-up message and continue to the livestream.)
