ACC ~ Matthew 28 v9 - 10

FIRST TO RECEIVE THE WORD OF LIFE

HILARY OF POITIERS: The events during which the small band of women first saw the Lord, were greeted by him, fell to their knees and were commanded to announce the good news to the apostles reverse the order present at the beginning of the world. The gender through which death entered the world would also be the first to receive the glory, vision, fruit and news of the resurrection. The guards, who had seen everything, spurned the glory of the resurrection when they accepted a bribe to lie about the theft of Christ’s body. [1] They sold their silence regarding the resurrection in exchange for the honor and pleasure of this world, for its honor is in money. ON MATTHEW 33.9. [2]

[1] Mt 28:12-13.

[2] SC 258:260.

EVE’S CURSE UNDONE

JEROME: Two different feelings occupied the minds of the women: fear and joy. Fear came from the magnitude of the miracle they had witnessed and joy from their desire for the resurrection. Nevertheless both feelings impelled their steps. They continued on to the apostles so that through them the seed of faith would be scattered.

“And behold, Jesus met them, saying ‘Hail!’” They who sought him out and ran to him deserved to be the first to meet the risen Lord and to hear him say, “Hail.” Thus it happened that Eve’s curse was undone by these women. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 4.28.8-9. [1]

[1] CCL 77:280-81.

JESUS MET THEM

PETER CHRYSOLOGUS: While they were going, the Lord “met them” and said, “Hail!” When he meets them, he does not frighten them with his power but comes before them with the ardor of his love. He does not startle them with his authority but greets them warmly. He binds them by the covenant of the bridegroom, not by the right of the ruler. He honors them with the love of a brother. He greets them with a gracious salutation. At one time he had said to his disciples, “Salute no one on the road.” [1] So why is it that here along the way this visitor is so quick to salute them? He does not wait to be recognized. He does not demand to be understood. He does not allow himself to be questioned. Rather, he extends this greeting immediately, enthusiastically. He did this because the force of his love overcomes and surpasses all. Furthermore, by doing so Christ himself greets the church. He makes its very heart to be his own and thus receives its body into his own, as the apostle says, “And he is the head of the body, the church.” [2] This greeting itself evidently shows that the full figure of the church abides in these women. They are contrasted with those disciples whom Christ scolds who were wavering over the resurrection. He quells their fears by showing his side and the deep holes from the nails. [3] By taking food, [4] he now restores their faith. SERMONS 75.2. [5]

[1] Lk 10:4.

[2] Col 1:18.

[3] Lk 24:39; Jn 20:27.

[4] Lk 24:42-43.

[5] CCL 24a:465-66.

THEY WORSHIP HIM

CHRYSOSTOM: After they had departed with fear and joy, Jesus met them, saying, “Hail!” They ran to him with great joy and gladness. They “took hold of his feet.” Thus they received by his touch an irrefutable proof of his resurrection, with full personal assurance of it. And they “worshiped him.”

What does he then say? “Do not be afraid.” Again, Jesus himself casts out their fear, making room for faith: “Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” Note well how he himself sends good tidings to his disciples by these women. He thereby brings honor to women, as I have so often said, honor to that sex which is most prone to be dishonored. Through these women he brings good hope and the healing of that which was diseased.

Some among you may desire to be like these faithful women. You too may wish to take hold of the feet of Jesus. You can, even now. You can embrace not only his feet but also his hands and even his sacred head. You too can today receive these awesome mysteries with a pure conscience. You can embrace him not only in this life but also even more fully on that day when you shall see him coming with unspeakable glory, with a multitude of the angels. If you are so disposed, along with him, to be compassionate, you shall hear not only these words, “All hail!” but also those others: “Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you before the foundation of the world.” [1] THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 89.3. [2]

[1] Mt 25:34.

[2] PG 58:784; NPNF 1 10:527.