Daily Gospel Reflection for April 1, 2024: Monday in the Octave of Easter

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Matthew 28:8-15

Today on Easter Monday, we hear Matthew’s account of the Resurrection. Like the accounts of the Resurrection in the other three Gospels, Mary Magdalene met the risen Lord and was instructed to share the Good News with the other disciples. Mary Magdalene had been a faithful disciple through His crucifixion and death, and her reward was meeting Jesus and sharing in His joy that first Easter morn.

Yet this account includes a touch of darkness. Only in the Gospel according to Matthew do we hear the story of the guards. My heart hurts thinking about these men who witnessed first hand the miracle of the Resurrection, and yet so quickly took a financial bribe in exchange for spreading lies about Jesus. Initially, they did what they thought was right; they took the information to the chief priests. Their resolve was weak, though, and they quickly chose silence and a quick buck over sharing the truth.

We are an Easter people, but sometimes, we choose to remain silent when we are called to proclaim the Good News. We may be bought by a fear of rejection, the desire for an (artificially) peaceful work or home life, or simply because staying quiet is the path of least resistance. This Easter season—and all times—we are called to remember the monumental suffering and sacrifice Jesus gave for our sins, and vow to not be bought by earthly rewards.

Ponder:

When in my life have I chosen to remain silent when I should have spoken up in the name of Jesus?

Pray:

Lord, help me to always emulate the ways of Mary Magdalene and never the ways of the soldiers.

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We are an Easter people, but sometimes, we choose to remain silent when we are called to proclaim the Good News. #DailyGospel

Copyright 2024 Maria Riley