So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
And behold, Jesus met them and said, "Hail!" And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.
Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see me."
While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place.
And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sum of money to the soldiers
and said, "Tell people, `His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.'
And 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 has been spread among the Jews to this day.
(Matthew 28: 8 - 15)
In the passage, the women, having heard the Great News from the Angel, quickly ran with GREAT joy, and yet with fear, despite the Angel’s comforting message, “Do not be afraid!”.
While they were running towards the disciples, Jesus met them. I imagine the experience of encountering the Resurrected Jesus was so profound for them that it banished all fear. And Jesus again said to them, the very familiar message, “Do not be afraid!”. They ran to tell the Great News towards the disciples with Great Joy, and we know the story continues for the next 2000 years and beyond.
On the other hand, some of the guards, encountering the same experience, responded the opposite. They did go and tell others about the news, however, they did so with Great Fear. They are afraid of the consequences of failing to guard the tomb, of losing their job, of the inner turmoil of being ‘in the wrong side’ so far, of the necessity to believe in Him. Such unnecessary things to be fearful for, when Jesus Christ has really risen from the dead, that is really a Joyful news. However, they chose to be overcome by great fear, a fear so great that they have to tell lies to hide the news. And we know the story next, that the lie is still circulating among the Jews to this day.
Among these two opposite responses, which camp do I belong to? the joyful ones or the fearful ones.
I remember attending a SMOTA LOGOS bible study lesson on Gospel of Matthew, conducted by Mark Hart (via DVD). It was the 8th (last) lesson of the series. The opening question of the lesson was remarkably impactful to me, “Does your life reflect the Resurrection of Jesus ?”
Mark Hart (via DVD) then made a point that the only reason for our life does not reflect the risen Christ is fear. It was quite a memorable question, because my answer to that question was ‘no’ when I know it should have been ‘yes’. I am afraid of what my family, friends, collegues or everybody might think of or say about me, being too naive, letting go of my possessions, facing a future with no securities and many other unnecessary things to be afraid of, when Jesus has risen from the dead.
The consequences of one’s fear is impeding their life from radiating the Resurrected Christ. When facing negative situation in their life or other people’s life, one often chooses despair instead of hope in Christ. When given the opportunity to share the Good News of Christ to others, one prefers to respect other people’s belief. When seeing other people receiving much blessing, one decides to envy and to forget that Jesus has also died for them. When facing piles of work to do, one chooses to blame and to forget that Jesus has carried the cross for them. When facing the boredom and monotony of life, one chooses to be restless and to forget that Jesus has risen from the dead and he has a far from completed mission for them.
Compared to the guards in the event of the resurrection, most of us are much better. I believe with all of my heart that Jesus is alive and I will not deny my belief and for sure, I will not tell lies to others that He is not really reason from the dead. However, if my life, actions, choices, decisions has no difference from those who do not believe.. or even worse than theirs.. I am giving a wrong impression that this is just a good news not THE Good News. That is just another great lie. Encountering the Risen Lord should be transforming one from dead to life, from mourning to joy, from fear to courage.
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). Lord Jesus, help me to love You so much, fill my heart with love that it has no room for fear. Allow me to encounter You today and everyday, that my life may always reflect Your resurrection and gives hope to others, because You are alive and are victorious.
We are Easter people, and Alleluia is our song.
~ St. Augustine
HAPPY EASTER !
(Inspired by the Homily of Father Aloysius for Easter Monday)
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