“So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized
them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.” Mark 16:8
Many scholars think this is how the Gospel of Mark ends. There are 11 more
verses that tidy the resurrection story up a little, they were thought to be added
later. We read the story of the resurrection from Mark’s gospel at our sunrise
service yesterday. I know that this year, especially on this stormy morning, this
version feels close to my heart.
Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome were seized by “terror
and amazement” on that first Easter morn: not only terror, but not only amazement
either. They had been through a lot in the days before and now their grieving
process, their ritual of caring, was interrupted. I always want a first hand account
from these three women, their voices are missing. How would they describe that
moment? How would they describe it in hindsight? How did the death and
resurrection of their friend change them?
How are you this morning, friends? What feelings are you holding? Terror? Joy?
Amazement? Gratitude? Trust? Anger?
Just like the women at the tomb, we can hold many emotions at once. Our God will
hold each of them with us as we continue the journey.
Friends, Christ is risen, and we will rise too.
Let’s pray together...
God of the empty tomb,
God of Mary, Salome, and Mary,
God of each of us.
We come to you on this second day of Easter,
We give thanks for the light,
We trust you in the storms.
We are seized by terror and amazement,
And we say defiantly that love will always win.
Thank you for your resurrection power.
Thank you for gift small and large all around us.
Thank you for never leaving us.
In the name of the Risen Christ,
Amen.
Pastor Ashley