3/8/2023 (Saturday) Today’s gospel reading: Matthew 28:1-10

1 After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.
2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it.
3 His appearance was like lightning and his clothing was white as snow.
4 The guards were shaken with fear of him and became like dead men.
5 Then the angel said to the women in reply, “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified.
6 He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.
7 Then 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.”
8 Then they went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce this to his disciples.
9 And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage.
10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

3/8/2023 (Saturday) Today’s gospel reflection: Matthew 28:1-10

Death is not the end of the story. Though the authorities sealed and guarded the tomb of Jesus, they can’t stop what God has planned. So we have the resurrection story. Jesus is not dead. He is alive and He is not the God of the dead but of the living! (Mark 12:27)

Do not be afraid. This is a refrain that Jesus repeated often. For His disciples were really shaken and fearful. Today, in the midst of troubles all over the world especially the threat of world war and economic ruin, Jesus is telling us, “Do not be afraid.”

Go tell my brothers. This the command of Jesus. Let us go and tell everyone the Good News of His resurrection and His victory over sin and death. Let us proclaim to anyone who cares to listen that there is hope, that the forces of darkness will not prevail, that the Kingdom of goodness will soon envelope the world or rather the universe. Thus our mission is clear: go and tell our brothers and sisters to come and see Jesus for He is risen from the dead.