Homily for Monday, 6 April 2015– Monday in the Octave of Easter

Readings of the day: Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Psalm 16:1-2a, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11; Matthew 28:8-15

What would our first reaction be if we were among Jesus’ first disciples just after his resurrection? Would many of us picture ourselves perhaps huddled behind locked doors, fearful for our lives, or standing before an empty tomb, not yet ready to acknowledge that Christ had risen?

I admit that I am not sure I would have reacted any differently than most of Jesus’ first disciples after his resurrection. Jesus had died a horrible, torturous death. Resurrections from the dead are uncommon. Would most of us not have been deeply afraid if we had witnessed these events first-hand?

And yet our readings today do not speak of these first disciples running away or huddled in fear. No, we hear today of the tremendous courage of some of Jesus’ disciples as they realized the miracle that had taken place; as they encountered the risen Christ.

Fear is still present, Matthew says to us, as “Mary Magdalene and the other Mary” leave the empty tomb. The women are “fearful but” also “overjoyed” when they realize that our Lord Jesus is risen. They meet and greet Jesus “on their way.” Jesus reinforces their bold courage, saying to them: “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” What bewildering joy “Mary Magdalene and the other Mary” must have felt at hearing the voice of their Lord once again, perhaps after thinking that all was lost at his death!

The Acts of the Apostles gives us another scene of bold courage like that in Matthew’s Gospel, but this time involving Peter, speaking for the remaining Eleven Apostles. This scene is structured like a trial. Peter acts as the lead prosecutor, making his incisive opening arguments. He faces down those responsible for Jesus’ death: “This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God, you killed, using lawless men to crucify him.”

The people to whom Peter speaks are guilty beyond reasonable doubt. And yet Peter, filled with the boldness and hope of the Holy Spirit, does something amazing here: He does not condemn those who had Jesus killed. Instead, Peter witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection. He witnesses to the salvation that Jesus’ resurrection has opened up for all of us.

We stand guilty here. Jesus was put to death for our sin. And yet we are not condemned. Instead, Peter says: “God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses. Exalted at the right hand of God, he poured forth the promise of the Holy Spirit that he received from the Father, as you both see and hear.”

“We are all witnesses” through the testimony handed on to us from the first Apostles; the first witnesses to Christ’s resurrection. We “both see and hear.” We have been given “the promise of the Holy Spirit.” And now we are sent forth to bear witness to this gift of redemption, our renewed chance at salvation. After Peter, “Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary,” now is our chance to speak and act with bold courage; kindness; mercy; justice, for Christ is risen! Alleluia!