Those who came to the tomb were horrified when they saw the stone rolled away and the angel announcing the news of the Resurrection. Even after his words "do not be alarmed," they continue to feel fear to such a degree that at first they say nothing to anyone.

A meeting with the Higher always shakes a person; it evokes entirely natural fear even in those who were frightened neither by the possible anger of rulers nor by the hostility of "public opinion." But precisely the One who is higher than everything natural constantly says: "do not be afraid!" For He has brought joy.

The joy of the Resurrection, which remains joyful news, however incomprehensible it may seem.

As soon as it became possible, the myrrh-bearing women went to anoint Jesus' body with special aromatic spices. When all the other disciples were asleep or in confusion, these women came to the tomb to do the little that was in their power. Without hesitation, they intended to pay the last honors to the body of their beloved Teacher, even though no one was with them who could roll the heavy stone away from the entrance of the cave.

They went by the path of the heart, not of reason. And on this path they were the first to meet the news of the Resurrection. The hearts of the myrrh-bearing women were so simple and open that they immediately believed the words of the angel, who told them about Jesus and showed them the empty tomb. To the other disciples the Lord appeared Himself, and He even allowed some to be convinced by touch that it was truly He. But those who learned about the Resurrection first were truly poor in spirit, because they demanded no proofs and no signs.

Mark depicts the events after Christ's Resurrection very briefly. Almost every episode in this account is described in more detail in the other Gospels. Mark wants to emphasize the most important thing. So the disciples are hiding from persecution, overcome by grief and despair. Only certain women, who did not leave Jesus in the hour of His death, now want to pay Him their last duty and complete the burial they had not finished because of the Sabbath rest. It is to them, His most faithful followers, that the Angel announces the stunning, fearful, and at the same time joyful news: He has risen. He is not here. But the disciples cannot believe Mary Magdalene, to whom Jesus appeared, or the two other disciples who saw Him. They are so absorbed in their grief and despair that their hearts close themselves to hope, even though Jesus had repeatedly predicted His Resurrection to them. Finally, Jesus Himself appears among them and rebukes them for hardness of heart and unbelief. By His appearing He scatters their grief and fear.

The risen Savior sends the disciples to proclaim to "all creation" the joyful news of the new life that began with His Resurrection. He says that through faith and baptism a person already in this life enters salvation: liberation from slavery to fear, sin, death, and eternal condemnation. Christ names the miraculous signs and gifts now possessed by the new humanity, reborn and raised to life in God. The authority of Christ's disciples over death, illness, and dark powers is testimony to the presence of Christ Himself among them. Even now He lives among us and in us, blessing the preaching of the Gospel of Life.