What struck me first from today’s Gospel is the description of the reaction of Mary Magdalene and the other Mary – they were fearful and yet overjoyed. Christ had risen: Now what? Jesus appeared to the apostles and told them not to be afraid. That’s how we react to things that we don’t expect, to occurrences seemingly beyond our imaginations, to that which overwhelms us even when it is good news. The Marys and the disciples had been through a lot. Their fear and joy combined as they experienced this new reality. Jesus knew it would take time to even try to understand and told the disciples to not be afraid. This is where faith is essential. Conquering our fear to believe and to believe in spite of our fear are what God is asking us to do. We might hear other stories like the one concocted by the priests and the elders. We need to believe and keep the faith.

In the first reading, Peter tells the story of David, who believed that what was foretold would happen. We are all witnesses despite the other stories that may circulate. By believing and trusting in God, even when we are afraid and unsure, we can experience the joy of the Marys and the joy in the presence of God.

Many things can make us fearful. We can feel abandoned in a world where every day we might see some acts of terror or horror that shake us to our cores. We stray from the path of goodness ourselves. But God will not abandon us. We can do what we can where we are to stave off the sadness and fear. We can do small things to increase the joy in our lives and in the world around us and let that joy ripple out. We can make the decision now, today, to overcome the fear and welcome the joy.

We can pray: Keep me safe, O God, you are my hope.