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After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary
Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 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.
His appearance was like lightning and his clothing was white as
snow. The guards were shaken with fear of him and became like dead
men. Matthew 28:1–4
The angels of God have been present at the most significant moments
of human history. There are numerous mentions of angels in the Old
Testament. In the New Testament, the Incarnation of the Savior of
the World was announced by an archangel. Myriads of angels were
present at His birth. An angel spoke to Saint Joseph on four
different occasions. As Jesus began His public ministry and
overcame the temptations of the devil in the desert, angels from
Heaven came to minister to Him. When Jesus prayed in solitude,
especially during His agony in the garden, He was comforted by
angels. At the empty tomb, it was an angel who first announced the
good news that our Lord had risen. And at the end of time, it will
be the angels of God who bring forth God’s justice.
Today’s angelic salutation to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary at
the empty tomb should teach us that the message of the Resurrection
is among the most important lessons we can ever learn. Furthermore,
the message of this angel, given to these holy women, was intended
not only for them, it is also spoken to us today.
The angel made an appearance that depicts absolute power and
sanctity. He arrived with the speed of lightning. His countenance
was radiant with Heavenly light. He instantly moved the large stone
and sat upon it, pointing these holy women to the empty tomb.
Today, if we have the eyes of faith, we will also receive an
interior revelation from Heaven, just as these women did. Though we
will not see with our eyes what they saw, we will see and hear
through faith all that was spoken to them. The message of the
Resurrection of Christ is being spoken to you today. Do you hear
it? Do you comprehend the voice of this angel from Heaven? If you
do, the first thing you will hear are the words, “Do not be
afraid!” Fear is one of the greatest obstacles to the reception of
the Word of God in our lives. The evil one sows fear; the angels of
God dispel it. So begin by considering whether fear clouds your
ability to receive the Word of God. The angel then said, “I know
that you are seeking Jesus the crucified.” In other words, these
women had not yet understood the Resurrection. They were still
seeking the dead body of our Lord. Similarly, we often find
ourselves focusing upon our losses, sufferings and trials. As a
result, it can be difficult for us to see the ways that our Lord
desires to transform the crosses in our lives and bring from them
the glory of the Resurrection. The angel then said, “He is not
here, for he has been raised just as he said.” When we allow God to
transform every cross in our lives, those crosses and sufferings
disappear as they give way to the new life God brings forth from
them.
Finally, the angel tells the women, “Come and see the place where
he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised
from the dead…’” When we come to faith in the death and
Resurrection of Christ, we cannot keep it to ourselves. We must go
forth and proclaim the Resurrection of Christ to others. It cannot
be contained.
Reflect, today, upon the most glorious, awe-inspiring,
life-changing message of Christ’s Resurrection. If you find that
you do not understand this message, then this Easter Season is an
important time for you. It must be a time in which you dispel any
fear that clouds your thinking. It must be a time when you listen
most attentively in faith. It must be a time when you hear God
speak to you about His glorious triumph over sin and death. It must
be a time when you more fully penetrate the mystery of the
Resurrection. And it must be a time when you recommit yourself to
go forth and share that message with others. Listen to the angels
of God. Receive their message and allow Christ’s Resurrection to
change your life forever.
Most holy angels of God, please come to me, speak to me and
reveal to me the most glorious message of the Resurrection of
Christ. Lord, I pray that my heart be freed of all fear and that my
mind be opened to all that You wish to reveal to me. I do believe
in the glory of Your Resurrection; help me to believe with all my
heart and to proclaim that truth to others. Jesus, I trust in
You.
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