The moment when the women go to see the tomb is significant. The sabbath is over, and so a week has just ended. We are on the threshold of a new era when the dawn of the first day begins to appear. This is charged with symbolism, for the Christian reader of the Gospel knows very well that, at this precise moment, more than a commonplace week is beginning and more than an ordinary dawn is appearing. It is the emergence of a new period of human history; more so, it is the dawn of a new world which is beginning to appear, of a world in which death and its sad train of disastrous causes and consequences are finally overcome, vanquished, terrorized—just like the soldiers guarding the tomb and who are precisely reduced to the state of powerlessness. The fidelity of the holy women is rewarded: they are the first to contemplate the risen Christ. But at the same time, they receive the order to communicate this news to the apostles, thus becoming the first missionaries of the resurrection. The grace they receive is not only a privilege, something they could keep jealously for themselves; it is a responsibility, a mission. Any Christian who grasped the mystery of Christ and who has the joy of knowing that Christ has overcome death and henceforth enlightens every man coming into the world, has the duty of spreading the joy around him and of testifying to the resurrection.

Epistle • Rom 6:3-11

Brothers and sisters: Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.

For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. For a dead person has been absolved from sin. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him. As to his death, he died to sin once and for all; as to his life, he lives for God. Consequently, you too must think of yourselves as being dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus.

Gospel • Matthew 28:1-10

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. Then the angel said to the women in reply, “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 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.” Then they went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce this 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.”

Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2026,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.