Over the years as a priest, I have been called upon many times to be the bearer of bad news. Even the police and close relatives defer to me in those situations. No one likes to announce bad news to the unsuspecting.
On the other hand, who doesn’t like to be the bearer of good news? When we find out something exciting and happy, we can’t wait to be the first to let others know and spread the news.
Tonight is all about being the bearers of good news! All week we have been listening to the sad news of Jesus’ suffering and death; his humiliation and betrayal; his abandonment and painful last moments. His apostles and best friends have watched, from near and afar, and have been helpless to provide comfort or relief. They have huddled together in that upper room, out of fear and confusion.
It is the women of their group who venture forth and go to the tomb to perform the ritual anointing of the dead. And what they find is indeed good news: Jesus is no longer among the dead, but is alive; He is risen as He said. Matthew tells us they ran quickly from the tomb, fearful but overjoyed, to be the bearers of good news to the other disciples. And on their way they meet Jesus who tells them to go and share the good news with the disciples. Indeed, the women of the groups were the first bearers of the good news.
As present day followers of Jesus, we too are to be bearers of the good news of the Resurrection. We are to be a people of hope and promise; a people who bear peace and understanding; a people who provide comfort and care; a people who look for the goodness in one another. A people who project the loving nature of our God to all we meet.
As a parish community tonight we too have special good news to announce: that Shauna Rossley is about to celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation and will become a full member of our church and our parish community. That is living proof that bearers of the good news of the Resurrection are still around in our world today and that God’s grace remains abundant in the hearts of believers.
As we continue to celebrate the wondrous mysteries of Easter for the next fifty days, may we go the extra mile to be beaers of the best news of all: that Jesus Christ is Risen from the dead and death has no more power over him, or us!