REFLECTIONS TODAY Matthew’s resurrection account combines two events—the discovery that the tomb is empty, and the appearance to Mary Magdalene and to the other Mary. Initially, the women are overtaken by awe by the theophany of the angel who tells them that Jesus has risen from the dead, and directs them to tell the other disciples of this good news. Then the women directly meet Jesus “on their way,” just like the two disciples who encounter Jesus on the “road to Emmaus” (Lk 24:13-35). They embrace his feet and do him homage as their beloved Rabbi and now as their glorious Lord. Their personal encounter with Jesus is so overwhelming, their resurrection experience so tremendous, that there is no stopping the message to be proclaimed: Jesus is alive; he is risen from the dead. GOSPEL • MATTHEW 28:8-15 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce the news to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had happened. The chief priests assembled with the elders and took counsel; then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’ And if this gets to the ears of the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present day. SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2021,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.