Why do you seek the living among the dead?

Mileseva Monastery, Serbia

Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.

Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.'" And they remembered His words. Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them.

- Luke 23:56-24:11

In yesterday's reading, we read of Jesus' death on the cross, the darkness at noon, the tearing of the veil in the temple. Jesus cried out, "Father, 'into Your hands I commit My spirit.'" The centurion declared, "Certainly this was a righteous man!" The people beat their breasts and returned, while Jesus' acquaintances and the women who'd followed Him from Galilee watched all from a distance. Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the council who was not opposed to Jesus, a good and just man, went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. He laid it in an unused tomb, hewn out of rock.

Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment. This verse ended yesterday's reading, and it begins today's. The Sabbath gives us a pause. It's as if all the world is silent and rests for a pace, a breath, a day. This Sabbath pause is a moment between worlds, in a sense. It's like a moment between darkness and dawn -- a new day and perhaps even a new world is born here, in this one day of rest.

Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. This first day of the week is, indeed, a new day. It is the Lord's Day in Christian tradition; the day after the Sabbath, a Sunday. Sometimes called the eighth day, it begins!

But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. The light begins early on this new first day, from these shining garments. Where is the body of the Lord? Who are these men? We recall Jesus and the Mount of Transfiguration, His glistening robe and the appearance in glory of His two companions Moses and Elijah.

Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.'" And they remembered His words. And the good news really begins! The messengers in the shining garments are angels, messengers with a message for them. Indeed, such a message is this! "Why do you seek the living among the dead?" Forever we remember these words, and the angels begin the task that starts this day: the words of Jesus are recalled and illumined for them. And my study bible adds, "He is risen! The news of great joy, heralding the new dispensation, resounds throughout the whole world, transforming the creation and the lives of millions of men and women."

Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them. Somewhere the followers of Jesus are gathered -- clearly this group is larger than the eleven alone. But the women -- again we return to the women, as Luke always does. These faithful are the first ones to bear this great news of abundant joy. They bear witness to the words of the angels. But how like this story in these Gospels of our human nature amidst the great tidings: "their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them." Perhaps the news is too good for them to take it in.

The women, always the women. Luke returns to them again and again. Here they are, doing the work that must be done, preparing the anointing for the One whom they love. And they are greeted with the great tidings of He who lives! "Why do you seek the living among the dead?" What powerful words these are, and they are given not to the apostles, but to these women faithful from Galilee. Idle tales! It is in such that the kingdom of God, and the new world transfigured, is born - in the loving and the faithful, the ones who become messengers of the good news from the love born in their hearts to begin with. These women, who will be titled "Equal to the Apostles" and "Myrrhbearers"-- 0ur Lord has honored them to be the first to know! And the angels have delivered to them the great tidings, the glad words. Can we hear the message? Can we read the love and joy in their hearts? Can we see and hear them in one another today? "Why do you seek the living among the dead?" Let us remember that He lives - in us, in them, and is present to us all today.