Two Tales Of Telling

Today's Gospel Matthew 28:8-15

Filled with awe and great joy the women came quickly away from the tomb and ran to tell the disciples.

And there, coming to meet them, was Jesus. ‘Greetings’ he said. And the women came up to him and, falling down before him, clasped his feet. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers that they must leave for Galilee; they will see me there.’

While they were on their way, some of the guard went off into the city to tell the chief priests all that had happened. These held a meeting with the elders and, after some discussion, handed a considerable sum of money to the soldiers with these instructions, ‘This is what you must say, “His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.” And should the governor come to hear of this, we undertake to put things right with him ourselves and to see that you do not get into trouble.’ The soldiers took the money and carried out their instructions, and to this day that is the story among the Jews.

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In today's gospel we have a parallel of contemporary ideas. I'm sure the guard had told the priests and elders what really happened but intead of investigating further they went to their “war room” to spin the situation. It all sounds too much like our political system here in the US. It is not what is reported but how the truth is spun to meet an objective. The priests had everything to lose by the resurrection of Jesus. They had to lie to themselves and the Jews in order to keep their life intact. Both the women and the Roman guard were witness to the truth as were the disciples. And the twisting of the truth prevented those who might justly have freedom to remain in bondage.

There are two tales of telling here - The Guards and the women.

Thank God He reveal the truth and the truth prevailed for us.

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