An angel of the Lord, descending from heaven,
came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. …
For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men.
But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid;
I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified.
He is not here; for he has been raised…”
—Matthew 28.2-6
They’ve been through hell, these women.
Unlike the men who ran they stayed close,
they saw him killed, they stood by him faithfully,
they showed up at his grave.
See how they’ve been resurrected now,
and passed from death to life:
though hardened soldiers faint
the women are too close to God
to be so frightened of angels.
God, bear me through,
and give me faith to stay present
in the face of holiness.
Breath prayer: + Holy … presence +
—April 21, 2017