Monday in the Octave of Easter
(Acts 2:14.22-33;
Matthew 28:8-15)
The gospels provide
two types of evidence for Jesus’ Resurrection.
All of the four speak of disciples finding his tomb empty. Of course, this is only circumstantial
evidence. The clincher is Jesus’
appearance to his disciples. Not only
the gospels, but also St. Paul testify that Jesus appeared to them.
Today’s passage from
Matthew’s gospel hints of the empty tomb but describes unequivocally a
resurrection appearance. Jesus addresses
the women who evidently came to be proximate to his remains. They had been informed by an angel that he
had been raised. Still, they are afraid
when they see him probably because they were not sure that he was not a
ghost. The account also explains why
more Jews did not accept the disciples’ announcement of the Resurrection. It says that the soldiers guarding the tomb
were bribed by Jewish leaders. They were
paid to say that his body was stolen.
After two thousand
years many are still not convinced that Jesus was raised. They take the testimonies of disciples as
disingenuous. However, we must not doubt
the resurrection. The apostles accepted
martyrdom rather than deny it. Furthermore,
we have already been beneficiaries in being accepted into the Church. The Resurrection will also provide us an eternal
home with God.
