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April 6, 2024 Dear Brothers and Sisters, On Easter morning, Fr. Neil Taylor, Dean at Holy Spirit Pro-Cathedral in Akron preached a powerful message from the Gospel text in Mark 16:1-8. He highlighted the fact that in verses 6 and 7 the angel in the tomb told the women two important things to be shared with Jesus’ disciples: 1. Jesus is alive! 6“‘Don’t be alarmed,’ he said. ‘You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.’”
2. There is work to be done!
7 “But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”
Notice the work the first disciples engaged in immediately in light of Jesus’ resurrection:
“So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.” Matthew 28:8 “...and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.” Luke 24:9 “Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’...” John 20:18
“And they [two disciples encountering the risen Jesus going to Emmaus] rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!’ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.” Luke 24:33-35
The disciples were compelled to tell others of the Good News of Jesus’ life-giving death and resurrection with urgency of purpose. That message is just as true for us today! Jesus is alive and there is work to be done!
May the Holy Spirit enliven and strengthen each of us in the work of witnessing this Easter Season. Let us share the Good News to all who will listen in the confidence that the “...gospel…is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…” Romans 1:16
Please pray with me: “Almighty God our Savior, you desire that none should perish, and you have taught us through your Son that there is great joy in heaven over every sinner who repents: Grant that our hearts may ache for a lost and broken world. May your Holy Spirit work through our words, deeds, and prayers, that the lost may be found and the dead made alive, and that all your redeemed may rejoice around your throne.” Amen. Your servant and fellow witness for Jesus’ sake, +Mark
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