Be Not Afraid
"Then the angel said to the women in reply, “Do not be afraid!" - Matthew 28:1-10
I have often made the argument that Jesus appearing to the women who followed Him, instead of the men, and telling them to go and tell the apostles that He is not in the tomb, supports His desire for us to proclaim the Word of God. It seems to me that Mary Magdalene, being the woman who was there along with His mother when He was laid in the tomb, was a testament to her devotion, courage, and strength—but the angel said, “Do not be afraid!”
Maybe the angel sensed that the women felt they would not be believed. In our Church today, women are beginning to be called upon to lift their voices in roles that help shape the future of Catholicism, like St. Teresa of Avila, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, and St. Hildegard of Bingen. In the 21st century, as the synodal process continues to unfold, the spirit of St. Phoebe is also emerging as one of the strongest voices calling women to have the courage to step into the role of deaconess.
As a woman who has served as a lector for fifty years, I am acutely aware that the Holy Spirit speaks through me when I proclaim. On Good Friday, the hymn “Were You There?” is sung, and I always think of Mary Magdalene and, of course, Jesus’ mother having to endure the pain of watching the suffering and death of a friend and son. The strength of the faith of these women, enduring this while the apostles scattered out of fear, causes me to tremble.
Alleluia! He is risen. The resurrection of our Lord is a reminder to all of us to be present to Him and to have the courage and strength to model the faith for which He sacrificed His life.
Sherry Hayes-Peirce