The Truth That Could Not Be Silenced by Silver
Reflection on Matthew 28:8–15
In this Gospel passage, we are placed in the immediate aftermath of the Resurrection. The women, filled with both fear and great joy, run from the tomb to share the good news. Along the way, they encounter Jesus Himself. He greets them not with grandeur, but with simplicity: “Peace.” And in that moment, everything changes. Fear gives way to worship. Confusion becomes clarity. They fall at His feet, holding on to the very One who was crucified—and is now alive.
There is something deeply moving about the response of these women. They do not fully understand everything that has happened, yet they respond with faith. They worship before they comprehend. They obey before they have all the answers. And this is often how God meets us—not in perfect understanding, but in our willingness to trust Him even in mystery.
Meanwhile, a different story unfolds in the background. The guards, who witnessed the angel and the empty tomb, go to the chief priests. Instead of leading them to truth, their testimony becomes an opportunity for manipulation. The religious leaders, fearing the consequences of the Resurrection, offer money to silence the truth. They create a false narrative: that the disciples stole the body while the guards slept.
Here we see a powerful contrast. On one side, the women who respond with faith, courage, and proclamation. On the other, leaders who respond with fear, control, and denial. The Resurrection demands a response. It is not a neutral event. It invites belief, but it also exposes resistance.
Even today, this same tension exists. The truth of Christ’s Resurrection continues to be challenged, ignored, or reshaped to fit comfortable narratives. There are still “coins” offered—pressures, distractions, compromises—that tempt us to keep silent about our faith or to water it down. The question for us becomes: which voice will we follow?
Will we be like the women, who despite fear chose to proclaim what they encountered? Or will we allow fear, doubt, or worldly influence to quiet the truth within us?
Jesus’ instruction is clear: “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers…” The Resurrection is not meant to be kept hidden. It is meant to be shared. Our faith is not only personal—it is missionary. Each of us is entrusted with the message that Christ is alive.
This passage also reminds us that truth does not depend on acceptance to remain true. Even though lies were spread, the reality of the Resurrection could not be undone. In the same way, the truth of Christ in our lives remains firm, even if others misunderstand or reject it.
Let us ask ourselves: In what ways am I being called to proclaim the Risen Christ? Where am I tempted to remain silent? And what “coins” might be trying to buy my silence?
The women ran with urgency because they had encountered Jesus. Perhaps the deeper question is this: have we truly encountered Him in a way that moves us to go and tell others?
Key Takeaway:
The Resurrection calls for a response—choose courage and truth over fear and silence, and boldly proclaim the Risen Christ in your life.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the gift of the Resurrection, the victory of Your Son over sin and death. Strengthen our hearts to believe even when we do not fully understand. Give us the courage to proclaim the truth of Christ in our lives, even in the face of fear or opposition. Guard us from the temptation to remain silent or to compromise our faith. Fill us with the same joy and boldness as the women at the tomb, that we may go and share the Good News with others.
May our lives be a witness that Jesus is truly alive.
Amen.
