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Theo Tigno•
3/28/2005 12:24 pm
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Monday in the Octave of Easter |
Matthew 28:8-15
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce the news to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me."
While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had happened. The chief priests assembled with the elders and took counsel; then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, "You are to say, 'His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.' And if this gets to the ears of the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present day.
Dawg's thought:
Today's prayer intention is for those who are expecting, for their health and that they carry their child to term.
There are two wonderful examples in today's reading of how to receive Christ. The second way seems like a bad way from our perspective, but in reality they thought that they were doing some sort of good by hiding The Truth. I've been guilty of hiding The Truth thinking that it was for the best when in reality it was not.
The first way, though, has a phrase that brings me comfort: "fearful yet overjoyed." I love this phrase because it reminds me that there will be great temptations on each of us not to proclaim The Truth and it will seem like we are doing good by suppression (see the second example in today's reading). While it may not come in the form of black and white temptation, there is a temptation that is there. Consider the friend / relative who is not leading their lives ordered by God, yet we are fearful of confronting them. Think about our homogenized society where to speak the truth on pro-life issues means being labeled as oppressive. Think about how we speak out in defense of marriage in the way it was created for and for that we are told that any words defending the sanctity of marriage is hate speech.
We have many things that cause us fear and we may be tempted to withhold our tongue for the sake of peace and harmony. Christ's words to us are meant for you, fearful yet overjoyed disciple: "Do not be afraid." Take care and God Bless.
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