Women, despite fear and all the dangers, went to the grave, Bishop Josyf on the Sunday of the Myrrhbearers

First of all, the Bishop noted that people's beliefs are not always the basis of loyalty and dedication to a person.  Only love can be fully committed and faithful.  Only love can endure in the face of death, pain, punishment and abuse.

 Thus Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, though they did not have the courage to be among the disciples of Christ, but in their own way testified to love.

 "Today we remember those who, not out of conviction, but out of great love for Christ, gave Him their last respects.  These two men stood before Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus, acknowledging their acquaintance with Him.  These two indecisive and frightened men found strength through the lens of love for the Master in order to be enriched with His teaching,” explained the preacher.

According to him, the Holy Myrrhbearers Women, although watching from afar all the events, were ready to serve in their own way.  When it was all over and the funeral ceremony was to be completed, in the morning they bought the oil and went to the grave.

 "The women did not know about the Resurrection; the angel had not yet informed them.  However, they burned with the love for the Lord, compassion for Mother Mary.  Despite the fear and all the dangers, despite the stone and the guard, despite the rage of the crowd, they were heading to the grave,” he said.

 “What were they hoping for?  What can a woman hope for in such cases? ” asked the Bishop.

 And he replies: “It seems that they were hoping for a miracle of love, that something would happen.  The Lord will honor their courage.  They believed that the Lord would respond with love to them."

They ran with love and fear to announce to the world that He had risen.  In doing so, the women received a message from the angels: "Tell His disciples and Peter."  The words "disciples and Peter" are very important.  Their emphasis is that by the Resurrection of the Lord he [Peter] was forgiven for his denial.  That is why the Lord asked him, “Do you love me?” said the Bishop.

Today, together with the Myrrhbearers, Nicodemus and Joseph, we must rediscover this love that is stronger than death, which conquers death.  We must become "myrrhbearers," people who bring peace into the world through our own love, supporting it with the power and grace of the risen Jesus," said Bishop Josyf.

The UGCC Department for Information