248. Holy Women at the Tomb: Mary the Mother of James and Salome. The Second Appearance of the Lord. Mt. 28:5–10; Mk. 16:2–8

On that same first day of the week, at the rising of the sun, Mary of James and Salome go to the tomb, and perhaps some others with them, and they say to one another: Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us? And looking, they see that the stone has been rolled away; and it was very large.

As they approached the place of the Lord’s tomb, they saw an Angel sitting on the rolled-away stone, and they were afraid. And the Angel, addressing the women, said: Do not be afraid; I know that you seek the Lord Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead and goes before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.

Having entered the tomb, the women saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a white garment, and they were astonished. And he (the Angel) said to them: Do not be astonished. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified; He has risen; He is not here. Behold the place where He was laid. But go, tell His disciples and Peter that He goes before you into Galilee; there you will see Him.

And, having come out hastily from the tomb, the women with fear and great joy ran to tell His disciples. They no longer saw the Angel on the stone because of the confusion. They were seized by trembling and fear, and they said nothing to anyone on the way, because they were afraid.

And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, the Lord Jesus Himself met them and said: Rejoice! And they, coming forward, took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them: Do not be afraid; go, tell My brethren to go into Galilee; and there they will see Me.