Today’s gospel reading begins in a place of sorrow, Jesus’ tomb. Yet this story does not stay there. In Matthew’s Gospel telling, we hear that “Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed.” Their hearts held two realities. First, they faced the lingering despair of the crucifixion and death of their friend. Second, they held the astonishing hope of resurrection. This moment for me captures the beginning of Easter faith, a shift from a perspective of death to life, from despair to possibility.
The resurrection invites us to see the world differently. In Psalms from today, we proclaim, “You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.” God desires us to lead lives filled with joy, not ones filled with sorrow and pain. Yet our true experience of joy does not come from the things the world expects. It is not rooted in power, status, or earthly things. Rather, we find true joy in simplicity, humility, compassion for others, and most importantly, trust in God.
Saint Ignatius would invite us to notice where God is inviting us toward deeper joy. At Easter, we are invited to pause and ask: where do we find hope? In a world filled with suffering and doubt, we can ask God in the Psalms from today to “Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope… Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge.” These words remind us that trust and joy ought to lie in a relationship with Jesus. The women leaving the tomb embody this trust. Though still uncertain about what comes next, they move forward. Fear and pain are not gone, but joy is rising within them.
The Easter season reminds us that resurrection is not only something that happened long ago; it is a way of living today. When we shift our perspective from earthly anxieties to the path of life revealed in Christ, we begin to see signs of resurrection all around us, acts of kindness, forgiveness offered, and hope renewed. Like Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, we are sent from the empty tomb into our world. Our hearts may carry both fear and joy, but Easter assures us that joy has the final word. God has shown us the path of life, and in God’s presence, we find nothing, not even death, can overcome joy.
Margo Minnich
Margo Minnich, Associate Professor at Creighton University College of Nursing, integrates her passion for public health nursing and professional development with her commitment to Ignatian spirituality. Rooted in the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola, she strives to live a life of service, compassion, and reflection, promoting holistic well-being in the communities she serves. In her professional work, Dr. Minnich aligns the core values of public health nursing with Ignatian principles, emphasizing social justice and the dignity of every person.
