By Jill Koop Liechty, Newcomer Center administrative assistant
Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10 (NRSV)
It seems as though our world is hitting a collective mental health crisis. Millions suffer with anxiety. Our harried days and restless nights are permeated with worry. Many do live with real worries and trauma – war, illness, poverty, famine, abuse. But many of us do not. And yet, we live in fear. We become emotionally and physically paralyzed by our anxieties, spiraling into private worlds where we seek self-preservation through gingerly protecting our interactions, our time, our energy, ourselves. This may be exactly what we shouldn’t do! As Jesus followers what might be our counterintuitive, upsidedown prescription for anxiety? We can find some practical and straightforward answers in this passage. Jesus and the angel both recognized the fear and confusion that the women were experiencing. Fear is human! While their fear was acknowledged, it was not accepted as part of God’s plan. In the midst of their terror and anxiety, “the Marys” were told to “fear not” and were called into action! Here is what the fear-vanquishing prescription for the women seemed to include (you may have more to add to the list): Believing boldly, acting bravely, reacting joyfully, running wildly, embracing surprisedly, worshipping freely, loving generously and unabashedly sharing the most awesome, liberating news ever! Let us seize upon these anxiety-defeating antidotes while on on our journeys. May we all be willing to have outward-looking perspectives, anticipating joy, living generously, appreciating God’s surprises, believing in miracles and sharing the good news with others. In doing so, perhaps some of our anxieties will be calmed, making space for God to bring restoration to our lives and to the lives of others through us.
Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10 (NRSV)
After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2And 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. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. 5But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” 8So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”