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.
