So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Notice, please, that it’s “fear and great joy.” Not just “great joy,” which is more likely what we would have expected. That is, when we think about the women coming to the tomb on that first Easter...

But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid….” Do not be afraid. It is, perhaps, the most succinct summary of the Gospel we can find. Do not live in fear. Do not be limited by others. Do not forget how much God loves you. Do not let circumstances wither your hopes. Do not give up....

After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning,...

After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. Dawn, on the first day of the week. This is when Matthew’s account of the resurrection starts. Dawn, when the sun is just cresting the horizon after a long night, spreading...

The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the...