Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!

 

 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 

 

Yesterday we read that it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.  Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two.  And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, 'into Your hands I commit My spirit.'"  Having said this, He breathed His last.  So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, "Certainly this was a righteous Man!"  And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned.  But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.  Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man.  He had not consented to their decision and deed.  He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God.  This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before.  That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near.  And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid.  Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils.  And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.

 

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.   These are "the women who had come with Him from Galilee," as indicated in yesterday's text, above.  The spices and fragrant oils are preparations for the corruption of Christ's body, intended to delay and disguise decay.  The first day of the week was the day after the Sabbath -- in other words, Sunday -- which in the Christian tradition is called the Lord's Day, the day of worship (Acts 20:7).  

But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.  See also Matthew 28:2.  My study Bible comments that the stone is rolled away not to let the all-powerful Lord out, but to allow us to witness His Resurrection.  

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 men in shining garments were angels.  

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.  My study Bible comments that in order to dispel any doubt, the angel confirms his message by recalling Christ's own words.  In calculating the third day, we understand the first day to be Friday, the day on which Christ died before sundown.  The second day is Saturday, the Sabbath on which Christ rested in the tomb.  The third day -- which begins after sundown on Saturday -- is the day of Resurrection, Sunday.

 

 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.  My study Bible says that certain patristic writers teach that Mary the mother of James was the wife of Alphaeus and this James was one of the Twelve (Luke 6:15).  Most, however, hold that this is the Virgin Mary, being in fact the stepmother of a different James, who is "the Lord's brother" (see Matthew 13:55; compare to Mark 15:40, 47).  

What does the empty tomb signify?  How strange that an empty tomb, with the stone rolled away from it, signifies the greatest "contents" anyone could ever imagine.  The Venerable Bede writes on this passage that, having kept the Sabbath in accordance with the commandment, the women come to the tomb to anoint Christ's body because they think He is dead.  To find the tomb empty gives the appearance of finding nothing, but in effect, they make the greatest find of all:  that Christ is risen and will in fact now be present in the sacraments.  The rolled away stone, as my study Bible comments, leaves the tomb open precisely so that human beings can discover this truth.  (Christ did not need the stone to be rolled away!)  It is akin to the tearing of the veil of the temple (see yesterday's reading, above), which enables human beings to come closer to God, to commune with the presence of God which was once hidden behind the temple veil.  This discovery -- although not at first believed by the Twelve -- enables the comprehension of Christ's repeated prophecies of His death and Resurrection, which was hidden from the disciples when Jesus taught them these things.  The proclamation of the angels begins to make sense out of His death.  Both St. Chrysostom and the Venerable Bede comment that the angels affirm that the sufferings and resurrection of Jesus are part of the divine plan as foretold by the ancient Scriptures and by Jesus himself.  The words of the angels will call to the minds of the apostles the remembrance of these prophecies, and gain their understanding.  Moreover, in the spiritual history of Israel, Genesis tells us that it was a woman who caused corruption to be brought into the world through temptation and lies; but here it is women who are the first to be told the truth of the Resurrection, and who spread that news to the disbelieving men.  St. Cyril of Alexandria teaches us that just as angels appeared at His birth, so they now appear in the empty tomb.  But they are not there to announce death; they are once again present to announce life itself (John 14:6).  St. Cyril writes, "Let no one seek among the dead him who ever lives."  In yesterday's commentary, we noted St. Cyril of Alexandria's commentary:  "Observe that no sooner had Christ endured the Passion on the Cross for our sakes than He began to win many unto knowledge of the truth."  This quick resolution of so many open questions continues especially in today's reading, in the image of the empty tomb, the presence of the angels, and the women who are the first to hear and to relay the good news.  The empty tomb confirms the presence of life itself, the opening of communion with God in the sacraments, the presence of the angels immediately teaches us the reality of the good news, making full sense of Christ's teachings and predictions of His death and Resurrection.  There is, of course, more to come, but the immediate effects are palpable and enlightening, as if something that one day seemed entirely undone is suddenly wrapped up as a beautiful gift.  We should always remember this in our own lives also, on an intimate scale, that where there is a crucifixion, with Christ there will always be a Resurrection, for He is the way, the truth, and the life.  The angels ask, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?"  In Luke 9:60, Jesus taught one who would be His disciple, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God."  To "follow Him" is the way of life and the good news is in the empty tomb.

 

 

This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead

John the Baptist, Angel of the Desert.  17th century Russian icon

And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.

Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well-known.  And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."  Others said, "It is Elijah."  And others said, "It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets."  But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!"  For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her.  Because John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."  Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him.  And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.  Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.  And when Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you."  He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom."  So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?"  And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!"  Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."  And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her.  Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought.  And he went and beheaded him in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.  When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

- Mark 6:13-29

Yesterday we read that Jesus went out from Capernaum and came to His own country Nazareth, and His disciples followed Him.  And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue.  And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things?  And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!  Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon?  And are not His sisters here with us?"  So they were offended at Him.  But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house."  Now He could do not mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.  And He marveled because of their unbelief.  Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.  And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.  He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.  Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.  And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.  Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"  So they went out and preached that people should repent.  And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.

 And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.  Today's reading begins with the last verse from yesterday's (above), giving us a framework for what is happening.  The apostles have been sent out on their first missionary journey, and so Jesus' ministry is not simply expanding, but it is also becoming more known for the marvelous works that accompany it.

Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well-known.  And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."  King Herod Antipas is the son of the King Herod the Great who slew the infants in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16).  He is technically the governor of Galilee (also titled tetrarch), but popularly called a king.  Herod is aware that John the Baptist did not perform miracles.  But now he suspects that Jesus is John risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.  Today's reading unfolds the story of the Baptist's death at Herod's hands.  My study bible comments that Herod fears John more dead than alive.

Others said, "It is Elijah."  And others said, "It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets."  The prophet Elijah was expected to return and work signs before the coming of the Lord (Malachi 4:5).   The Prophet is interpreted by some to be a reference to the Messiah, my study bible says; that is, the One foretold by Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15).  Others interpret this as simply meaning that a new prophet had arisen.

But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!"  We can understand the fear of Herod, as he supposes that John the Baptist has been raised from the dead -- effectively with great powers he did not have during his ministry -- whom Herod himself had beheaded.

For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her.  Because John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."  Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him.  And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.   This explanation, and the story of John the Baptist's death, is given parenthetically in the Gospel, explaining what has happened previously, and Herod's fear that John has returned from the dead.  Herod had married his brother's wife, Herodias, while his brother was yet living.  This was in opposition to the laws of marriage of the Jews, and so John the Baptist had spoken publicly against it.  Herodias wanted to kill him, we're told, but Herod, on the other hand, had a sense of John's righteousness and holiness, and so he protected him.  He also apparently delighted to listen to him.  It seems that Herod knew John's revered popular status as a prophet and holy man among the people.  My study bible notes that Herod feared John.   With all his wealth and soldiers, Herod feared a man who lived in poverty and was clothed in camel's hair (1:6).  My study bible calls this a testament both to the power of personal holiness and integrity, and also to the people's perception of John, for they held him in the highest esteem (11:32).

Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.  And when Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you."  He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom."  So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?"  And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!"  Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."  And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her.  Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought.  And he went and beheaded him in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.  When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.  There are a few things we can note about this story.  First of all, there is the temptation to swearing oaths, which Herod gives in to with an over-lavish promise to Herodias' daughter.  In effect, he sets his own trap for himself.  Moreover, contemporary hearers would be scandalized to know that parading a daughter in such a display and in such a setting was a violation of her modesty, in accordance with the cultural standards of the time.  The violence and gore of the holy man's fate -- and the relationship between mother and daughter -- testifies in and of itself to the excesses of thirst for power on display, and its consequences.

In a certain light, we may consider today's story from the Gospel illuminating for Lenten meditation.  The excesses of the court of Herod are instrumental in pointing out to us the wisdom of traditional practices of Lent, and the things we need to consider at this time.  There are first of all the great expenditures of lavish wealth meant to show off the king's (and his kingdom's) power and reach.  We can imagine what sumptuous feast must have been served, showing off the far extent of the Empire's trade in its exotic fares and spices, the skill of the king's cooks and servants, and the possibly the sophistication of luxuries available to them.  And yet in the midst of beauty and royal splendor, the selfish and ruthless acquisition of power for its own sake is at play.  It corrupts the relationship between mother and daughter, not only with disrespect for her daughter's own modesty and integrity of her body and being, but with the "teaching" of the skill of murder for the sake of absolute power.  That there is no regard whatsoever for the holiness for which John the Baptist is widely known and revered by the people doubles this effect.  The king's over-indulgence in swearing a rash oath to his stepdaughter teaches us something as well, for not only are oaths generally things to avoid, but they also present to us great temptation -- a trap we easily fall into, as illustrated here.  Oaths often give us a sense of control and power, but we see even that slip immediately through the king's hands, as his wife uses the opportunity to her own perceived advantage.  And there we have another casualty of relationships based merely on power and the acquisition of authority, and not on love:  manipulation for its own sake as a kind of victory, as a way to operate in the world in which we delude ourselves regarding our own capacity for intelligence and cunning and what it says about us.  These things are instrumental not only as cautionary tales for those who take the faith of Christ seriously, but in particular at this time of Lent, when we are meant to go within more deeply, to take time out from our usual frenetic activities, and consider what is most important to our faith.  This is a time when we are meant to consider what is most important for the good of our body, soul, and spirit.  Our practices of focus on the interior life should give us pause to consider what it is we chase in life, what's most important to us, what is really worthwhile, and where we might to pull back and reconsider how we might live a little differently -- for that's the real meaning of repentance, or "change of mind."  John the Baptist himself remains a figure of importance, especially at this time, for both he and his disciples teach us what it means to stick to the real business of our faith at all times, through thick and through thin.  Not only does he continue with his faith and ministry through his imprisonment, but he dies a heroic death, a martyr to his faith.  In the tradition of the Church, he precedes Christ to those who have passed, proclaiming the coming of Christ in Hades, as forerunner both to the living and the dead.  The detail added in the final verse gives us the disposition of John's disciples, they stick faithfully and soberly to the business at hand, accepting all that has come, and doing what is necessary for their faith.  All of this teaches us something about this time, in which the world faces an epidemic to consider our response to:  Who are we really?  What are we to be about?  How do we get down to the real things of Lent we need to focus on, especially now?  I could make a bad joke about losing one's head -- but let us consider the case in which at times like these, we need to think about the things to which we dedicate ourselves, and the things we're better off in letting go and getting down to the real business of life such as it is now.  Such circumstances have the capacity to really focus our energies on where effort is needed, and to let go of what is extraneous to our health on all levels of our being.  Let us consider to what we dedicate ourselves, and what is most important and essential in our lives now, just like, in our tradition of Lent, we are supposed to do.  The icon above depicts John the Baptist, particularly titled as Angel of the Desert.  In many Orthodox icons, he is depicted with wings, as this gives us an understanding of his role (similar to the angels) as messenger.  In fact, the word angelos means messenger in Greek.  (It should be noted that for the most part, depictions of angels with wings, such as Gabriel or Michael, are also symbolic of their status as divine messengers.)   John is also called Angel of the Desert in this icon for his dedication to the things of God, putting material things second to his purpose, as he was called as prophet and forerunner, and the one of whom Jesus said, "among those born of women there is no one greater than John" (Matthew 11:11, Luke 7:28). 

As He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight

 But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.

Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem.  And they talked together of all these things which had happened.  So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them.  But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.  And He said to them, "What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?"  Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, "Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in those days?"  And He said to them, "What things?"  So they said to Him, "The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him.  But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel.  Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened.  Yes, and certain women of our company who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us.  When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive.  And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women has said; but Him they did not see."  Then He said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!  Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?"  And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. 

Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther.  But they constrained Him, saying, "Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent."  And He went in to stay with them.  Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.  Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.  And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?"  So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, "The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!"  And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.

- Luke 24:12-35

Yesterday we read that on the day of Preparation, after Jesus was laid in the new tomb, the women 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. 

  But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.  In yesterday's reading, we're told that the women's story of what happened at the tomb was greeted by the apostles as if they were simply idle tales, and they did not believe them.  But we see this immediate response by Peter, who is spurred to run to the tomb.  The reading seems to indicate that he does believe the women, as he is marveling to himself at what had happened.  Peter has his own reasons for wanted to see for himself, after his repentance for denying Christ as Jesus foretold he would.   See this reading, and story of Jesus' last personal glimpse at Peter.  Further down in today's reading (verse 34), the disciples declare that Christ has appeared to Simon [Peter], but we don't know exactly when or where this even occurred as it is not recorded in Scripture; perhaps it happened at the tomb.  St. Paul refers to it in 1 Corinthians 15:5.

Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem.  And they talked together of all these things which had happened. These two are Cleopas (mentioned in verse 18), and by tradition, Luke the Evangelist himself.  It was a common literary device for a writer not to give his own name, and one which other Evangelists follow also (see Mark 14:51; John 21:24).

So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them.  But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.  My study bible tells us that the nature of the resurrected body is so different from its previous state that it is not immediately recognizable (John 20:14; 21:4, 12; see 1 Corinthians 15:35-44).   The resurrected body is also able to take different forms, which is what occurs here (see Mark 16:12).  To say that their eyes were restrained means that Christ intentionally prevents them from recognizing Him.  This is in order to expose their doubting thoughts and then cure them by means of the Old Testament Scriptures (verse 27).

And He said to them, "What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?"  Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, "Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in those days?"  And He said to them, "What things?"  So they said to Him, "The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him.  But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel."  We see the focus of the disciples; it is still on the hope of the Messiah as a political redeemer or deliverer of Israel.  With His death, this earthly hope is finished. 

"Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened.  Yes, and certain women of our company who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us.  When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive.  And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women has said; but Him they did not see."  Then He said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!  Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?"  And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.   My study bible here indicates that it is partial faith to believe either in a Messiah who only suffered or one that would only reign in His glory.  Complete faith sees the Messiah encompassing both.  As Jesus indicates here, all of this was foretold in the law and the Prophets. 

Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther.  But they constrained Him, saying, "Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent."  And He went in to stay with them.  Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.  Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.  And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?"  So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, "The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!"  And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.    Here Christ breaks bread in the same manner as He did at the Last Supper (22:19).  It gives us (and the disciples) an image of the Eucharist of the New Testament Church, my study bible notes.   It tells us that all who commune with the Lord in His risen Body in faith have their eyes opened (verse 31) to know Him.   Christ the Lord is known most perfectly in the breaking of bread (verse 35).  The disciples say to one another,  "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?"   My study bible calls this the inescapable effect of hearing the Holy Scriptures taught correctly and with faith (see 2 Timothy 2:15).  It is the conviction that the words and promises are true.

It's very intriguing that the Scriptures give us this taste of the resurrected life in the image of Christ's body and appearance.  It tells us that the very nature of the resurrected body is so different from the earthly that here and in other encounters with those who were close to Him, Christ was not recognized by His own followers.  Moreover, as my study bible points out, the resurrected body is able to take different forms.  A further intriguing fact is the idea that the eyes of these disciples were restrained; that is, they were prohibited from recognizing Him.  All of this adds to the sense that the things of the resurrection may be here among us, and even interacting with us, and yet their very nature is quite "other" than the earthly.  That is, the things of God don't necessarily correspond to the same "rules" as our daily earthly life would have us believe are absolute.  Faith itself works like this; it's not defined by "earthly" rules.  It does things that are not predictable based on previous experience.  It gives us things that by "logic" we shouldn't have -- like, for instance, an experience of tremendous love that doesn't belong in our previously known vocabulary of personal experience.  Faith can help us with sudden insights we didn't think ourselves capable of -- or wisdom we didn't learn from a book.  The experience of the holy does not comply with the limitations we normally assign to our lives or to the worldly rules we think everything must obey.  And so it is in these encounters with Christ.  Furthermore, that they know Christ in the breaking of the bread teaches us truly about communion -- not only the Communion of the Eucharist, but the communion of the holy with all things.  In the Book of Acts, St. Paul addresses the Athenians at the Areopagus, at the shrine to the unknown God, teaching them something akin to what we learn in today's passage.  He says that God has made all people in such a way "that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring'" (Acts 17:27-28).  This divine nature, in which all is encompassed and held, permeates all things.  As St. Paul says, and as today's encounter teaches us, He is not far from each one of us.  In the breaking of the bread, however, we are told an even deeper story:  that in the Eucharist He makes Himself present, that as we do this "work" of the liturgy, we are to understand His presence even in the elements of the world, and with us, and within us, and among us.  For this is the reality of the divine nature, which, in St. Paul's words, is "not like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising" (Acts 17:29).  This presence connects to us through faith, and may be made present to us in any form and even through the elements of life in our world.  In short, there really are no limitations to what the holy can do or be, for, as Luke reminds us, "with God nothing will be impossible" and "the things which are impossible with man are possible with God"  (1:37, 18:37).   Jesus' appearance to the apostles reminds us that we can take nothing for granted where faith is concerned, and put no limit on existence itself.  Furthermore, God's presence is possible anywhere, in any form.  But, as with His ministry, the connection we make with the holy is through faith. 

Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!

 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 23:56b-24:11

Yesterday we read that about the sixth hour, there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.  Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two.  And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, 'into Your hands I commit My spirit.'"  Having said this, He breathed His last.  So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying,  "Certainly this was a righteous Man!"  And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned.  But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.  Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man.  He had not consented to their decision and deed.  He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God.  This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before.  That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near.  And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid.  Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils.  And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.

 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 see 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.  The two men in shining garments are angels.  The text gives us the timeline here:  On Friday (the day of Preparation, when Jesus' body was placed in the tomb) the women prepared the spices and fragrant oils.  On the Sabbath, they rested according to the commandment.  This day is Sunday, the first day of the week.  The calculation of the third day begins on Friday, the day on which Jesus died before sundown.  The second day is Saturday, the Sabbath on which Christ also rested in the tomb.  The third day, which begins after sundown on Saturday, is the day of Resurrection, Sunday.  In order to dispel any doubt, my study bible notes, the angel confirms his message by recalling Christ's own words for the 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.   Some by tradition teach that Mary the mother of James was the wife of Alphaeus, and this James was one of the Twelve (6:15).  But most Church Fathers hold that this is the Virgin Mary.  She is, in fact, the stepmother of a different James, "the Lord's brother (see Matthew 13:55; compare Mark 15:40, 47).  My study bible tells us that the Virgin Mary appears in certain icons of the Myrrhbearing Women, and in a  hymn by St. John of Damascus, the Orthodox Church sings, "The angel cried to the lady full of grace, 'Rejoice, O pure Virgin:  your Son is risen from His three days in the tomb."

Three days in the tomb.  The angels who appear in the tomb have an announcement to the women, just as with Christ's birth, the angel made the announcement to Mary.  And here, it is the women who accept the good news, just as did Mary in Luke's first chapter, with the words, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word."  It is these faithful women are first at the tomb, who first hear the word, and who first believe.  The apostles themselves are in hiding.  But it is the women who have come to care for Jesus' body.  It takes quite some courage to do so, under the circumstances in which Christ has died -- and under the watchful eyes of the authorities who already suspect that there will be some tricks played by His followers.  Always, we come back to these women and their faithfulness.  In addition to His mother, these are those women who have followed and supported His ministry from Galilee.  They have been with Him all along.  They have not deserted Him, nor have they gone into hiding. Mary Magdalene is called Apostle to the Apostles with good reason.  We have to consider these women carefully, because although their roles are not center stage such as those of the Twelve, they form the support in this story.  In Luke's 8th chapter, we're told that these women not only travel with Him, but they support this ministry -- they and many others "provided for Him through their substance"  (see Luke 8:1-3).  And we have to ask ourselves where the Church would be, and indeed, even where Christ's ministry would be, if it were not for these women and others like them.  They act on their faith.  They enact love.  They carry within themselves the light not only of His ministry, but of the grace that He brings into the world and asks us to cultivate within ourselves.  Without such faith, what would the world really understand about Christ?  If we can garner nothing more from reading Luke, we can come to understand the central and historical importance of women to this ministry.  There is first of all the woman chosen to be His mother, who accepted her role, and together with her husband Joseph protected, raised, and nurtured Christ -- a complete and total act of faith and love.  These women who are with her form a bond of love and faith as well.  Those who proclaim the word of God do indeed teach us, but then each one of us probably knows another who simply through the actions of faith and love in their lives teach us also about Christ.  Without this support, how do we come to know His love?  Let us remember from this passage that it was they who believed, and who first were told -- while the apostles dismissed their story as "idle tales."  It is the substance of love and faith that gives shape to the Church in all places, in the innermost life of experience, in what is observed and understood by others, in the witness of a life where love and faith is chosen and practiced.  Luke gives us pictures of women:  these at the tomb, Mary the mother of Jesus, the one who anoints Christ with oil, the poor widow who gives all in the temple, Anna the prophetess, the woman who is healed by her faith when she touches the hem of Christ's garment, the stories of His friends Martha and Mary, and so many others.  In Christianity, one does not need to be center stage to be counted, to be essential, to be important.  One needs to be nurtured by the love of God, so that one becomes a kind of hub -- and that love becomes reflected in the choices and encounters of daily life.  Let us remember these women, as they were the first to hear and believe, and to tell the story to the apostles themselves.