As I was reflecting on today’s Gospel reading from Matthew I was struck by the contrast in the first part of the story to the second part of the story.  It seems to me we are being presented with two different paths and being asked to choose.  To see this more clearly, it is helpful to know the few verses prior to our reading.

Matthew 28:1-7
After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothing was white as snow. The guards were shaken with fear of him and became like dead men. Then the angel said to the women in reply, “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you.”

In the first part of the today’s reading, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary are fearful yet overjoyed by the message the angel at the tomb has shared.  In spite of their fear they were heeding the message and going to share the news of the Resurrection when they encountered Jesus on their way.  In spite of being fearful, they embraced the joy of the Resurrection. 

The guards on the other hand “were shaken with fear and became like dead men.”  They heard the message of the angel yet they then proceeded to collude with the chief priests to come up with a cover story.  They embraced the fear. 

This is the choice I see we are being invited to make.  We may be asked to make this choice several times a day.  The choice to choose love and joy over fear.  Do we choose to see the good in our coworkers or just the things that grate on our nerves?  Do we take time to see God in every person, in all things or do we rush through our day and grumble about how busy and tired we are? 

How were the Marys able to choose joy so easily?  I think the answer to this question is that they were in relationship with Jesus.  They had open hearts to him and what he taught.  They knew him intimately.  They spent time with him.  They had faith in his message and the God he revealed to them.  We are invited into this same relationship.  We are invited to choose joy over fear.  We are invited to choose the perspective of love over despair.  We are invited to see with the eyes of Christ.

So, here are my questions for reflection today: If we were present with Mary Magdalene and Mary that first Easter morning, would we be able to choose joy and love or would we succumb to fear and despair?  Where/How are we being invited to choose joy today?