The other Mary
Mary and I got up early this morning in despondency to perform the final act of love we could for our Lord Jesus. It took us an hour to get to Joseph’s tomb, the only people about being the Roman guards around the city on night watch. We talked on the way about what to do about the giant stone, there was no way that we could move it ourselves. When we finally reached the tombs the earth moved! The stone in front of the tomb where Jesus was laid then rolled to one side in a blaze of light, and two soldiers who had been posted by the tomb (we hadn’t realised they were going to be there) fell flat on their faces. I’ve never seen a soldier do that, they usually stand so rigid. Something that looked like a man and shining with bright light sat on the stone and talked to Mary and I. He said ‘don’t be afraid’, and told us that Jesus wasn’t there because he had risen! We turned and ran in a mixture of terror and joy when suddenly, walking towards us was Jesus himself! We both fell down in front of him, overjoyed. He told us to tell his brothers that he will see them in Galilee. Then he was gone.
Now I have been back to tell the brothers. They don’t believe me yet, but they will, they will. Our Lord is Risen, He is Risen! Alleluia!
Easter prayer:
Jesus, we thank you that with you all our journeys end in resurrection.
You have renewed our hope: we know that death is not the end,
Thank you for the adventure of knowing you, your suffering and your resurrection.
Alleluia!
Amen.
Matthew 28
Jesus Has Risen
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Bryony Taylor 