In our gospel today from Matthew 28:8-15, Jesus appears to the two Marys and tells them, “Do not be afraid, tell my brothers to go to Galilee and I will see them”. The very same people who abandoned him in his time of need, and were no where to be found as Jesus was being crucified, were still considered “brothers” by Jesus.
Jesus is teaching his disciples the first step in reconciliation: don’t be afraid and go to Jesus. He was modeling the granting of forgiveness, even when others fall short of our expectations. Jesus shed his blood for the forgiveness of sins, and forgives his followers for abandoning him.
This Gospel also shows Jesus’ mission of diversity and inclusion, which was radical teaching in his time. His mission was to include the outcasts and ostracized of society, and in this case, he used women, who were considered lessor citizens in society at the time, to deliver the message of Jesus’ resurrection, to the very men who abandoned him. Thankfully, we are making progress in diversity and inclusion today, but we still have a long way to go. Thank you, Jesus, for showing us the way!
De Colores, Deacon Kevin
