The first ones to be sent
But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. (Mark 16: 7)
When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” (Mark 16: 1-7)
Despite great pain and fear following Jesus' Passion and death, the pious women overcome their fear. They show their allegiance to Jesus and go out to His tomb, not even knowing who will be able to remove the rock that closes it off. Jesus rewards their love and courage, making them the first witnesses of His resurrection and the first to be sent out to speak about it, that is, to His apostles who are temporarily blocked by their disappointment and fear. May these women be an example to us so that we may never fail in our calling to be Christian witnesses.
