During the period from Pascha to Pentecost, we can’t help but notice the matching of stories between the Gospel and the life of the early Church. This is especially true when we compare Luke and Acts, since they are considered two volumes of a set. The Gospel relates the life of Christ in the flesh, while Acts relates the story of the Risen Christ at work in the church. But we also see this matching in John’s Gospel and Acts, the two texts read closely during this period.

Вони рано-вранці, купивши пахощі, спішать до гробу, в якому спочив Ісус. Мироносиці добре знають, що гріб Ісуса охороняють воїни, що до гробу заборонено наближатися, але вони йдуть, наперекір усьому, з твердою вірою і надією, що здійснять свій намір. Вони йдуть за покликом сердець, в яких живе щира, самовіддана любов до Ісуса, а любов не знає страху, не боїться погроз, перепон — любов усе перемагає, бо де є любов, там є Бог.

In today’s Gospel we hear of three women who were approaching the tomb of their Master, their Teacher and their Friend. Their hearts were heavy and their steps labored. How could this have happened? It was only days before that they were with Him as He taught and preached. No person had ever preached as He did; no one performed the great miracles that He accomplished. Surely He was the One; the Son of God, the Messiah!

If any man be devout and loves God, let him enjoy this fair and radiant triumphal feast. Якщо хто благочестивий і любить Бога, нехай насолодиться цим світлим торжеством.