Mt 28:1-10
1After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. 3His appearance was like lightning and his clothing was white as snow. 4The guards were shaken with fear of him and became like dead men. 5Then the angel said to the women in reply, “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified.
6He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you.” 8Then they went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce this to his disciples. 9And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. 10Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
Do not be afraid! This is a dramatic finale: the dawn, a great earthquake, an angel appearing like lightning, guards shaken with fear. Wow! And yet the angel says, “Do not be afraid!”
Some occasions are earthshaking and dazzling: a debut or a wedding, a 25th anniversary or a major accomplishment. These occasions, however, are few and far between.
The “wow” experiences, in fact, are the culmination of daily simple triumphs and trials. We celebrate a silver anniversary because we have struggled every day for 25 years to remain faithful. We plan a wedding with dazzling details to celebrate the many daily joys of friendship and courtship that have led to the big day. We toast major accomplishments as fruits of little daily hardships that have brought them about.
The resurrection is the culmination of everything that Jesus has said and done, the confirmation of what he has preached about the Father. It is the triumph of his love and life.