On previous occasions, they had walked with Jesus – once, down the streets where crowds joyfully sang Hosanna in the highest, welcoming Him into Jerusalem. Later, they followed Him to His crucifixion and death. But now, they stood alone. Just the two Marys, Joanna and a few other women. This time, their journey was not a joyful one. They came not to celebrate but to care for the body of their beloved Lord, bringing only the finest spices to bless his body.
But to their astonishment, everything was different. The tomb was open, the stone rolled away and His body was gone. This sight was even more unsettling than the burial itself. Then, angels appeared with a message that seemed strange and almost unbelievable. And yet, their hearts were not hardened – they were full of love and compassion. They believed. They remembered what Jesus had said. His words about death and resurrection now echoed in their minds, filling them with a hope that stretched beyond death itself.
Without hesitation, they ran to tell the apostles. But they were about to learn that caring for Christ’s body would now take on a new meaning. These women – first to witness the Resurrection – became the first messengers of the Good News. In their time and culture, this was extraordinary. But Jesus had always defied discrimination and had broken down barriers.
Now, caring for the body of Christ meant something greater: it meant caring for one another. The women and the apostles would spend the rest of their lives tending to the new Body of Christ – the community of believers, the Church. And we, too, are called to do the same.
Even in moments of sadness and grief, Jesus surprises us. He offers us a new vision, one that transforms how we live. This Easter is for all of us, as we follow the risen Lord, embracing a life that never ends and a truth that sustains us through every challenge. This is the love of the Risen Christ – the very lifeblood of our faith community.
Ronan Barry
