They ran to announce this to His disciples

THE women who go to the tomb to visit Jesus run to announce to the disciples what the angel has said to them: Jesus is risen from the dead. As they run away, Jesus meets them and makes a further announcement: they will see Him in Galilee. That will keep them moving; they will not stay in Jerusalem forever.

The guards are at a loss what to say. They approach the elders of Israel who coach them to tell a different story: His followers came to steal His body in the night. The enemies of Jesus are still at work. They twist the truth. They are bent on negating it, so that it will not affect them and the people. They are not ready to benefit from the power of God working through Jesus.

Gospel • MATTHEW 28:8-15

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce the news to His disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced His feet, and did Him homage. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell My brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.” While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had happened. The chief priests assembled with the elders and took counsel; then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’ And if this gets to the ears of the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present day.