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Hosea Blog

Imitate the Angel at Christ’s Tomb: Be a Messenger of Truth

4 Comments

 
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Mary Magdalene and women at the empty tomb of Jesus on day of Resurrection, relief on the baptismal font, church of Saint Matthew in Stitar, Croatia
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The photo depicts the Resurrection of Christ and was taken by my husband during a passion play in 2017.


By Julie Anderson
Member, Hosea Board of Advisors

​
Recently while researching the role of angels in the life of Christ, I stumbled across a lesser known celebration of the Easter season, that of Monday of the Angel. Curious, I took a few minutes to learn more about it.

Celebrated as what is known as “little Easter” in many European and South American countries, the day after Easter is a public holiday in countries such as Germany, Croatia and Italy. In Italy, the day is known as Lunedi dell’ Angelo and honors the angel’s role in proclaiming Christ’s resurrection. 

St. Matthew writes, “After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning,* Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothing was white as snow. The guards were shaken with fear of him and became like dead men. Then the angel said to the women in reply, “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you.” Then they went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce this to his disciples (Matthew 28:1-7).”

Did you catch that last part? The women ran from the tomb. They ran with joy in their hearts. They ran, announcing the good news of Christ’s resurrection as shared with them by the angel.

Of Greek origin, the word “angel” translates as “messenger” in English. The women who visited the tomb that first Easter morning heard the message of truth as heralded by the angel. Then, they ran to tell everyone around them. In doing so, they became messengers of truth and life.

In today’s world, we don’t necessarily think about messages in the same way. We send email messages and text messages to family and friends on a daily basis. In fact, most people get inundated with hundreds of messages every day. Still, I wonder if we received a message directly from an angel if we would give it our full attention? Would we rush to share the message with everyone around us? 

The message of Christ’s resurrection is the single greatest message the world has ever been given throughout all of history. Christ conquered death, and because he died for us, we have the opportunity to live with Him forever in heaven!  

As I reflected on Christ’s resurrection as a central tenet of the Christian faith, the words of St. Paul came to mind. He devoted an entire chapter of one of his epistles to Christ’s resurrection and what it will mean for everyone on the last day. “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall rise again incorruptible: and we shall be changed (1 Corinthians 15:58).”  

To me, the verse implies trumpets will continue to herald a message of truth, life and love until Jesus comes again in glory. Yet, how?

The word “herald” can be a noun or a verb. As a noun, it refers to official messengers or those who proclaim news. As a verb, herald means “to give notice of” or “announce” something.

Given the definition, it’s no surprise trumpets and similar-sounding instruments are often used to announce someone or something important. Take, for example, the United States Army Herald Trumpets who serve as the official fanfare ensemble for the president of the United States or the shofar, the Jewish horn used to awaken and inspire people to repentance and change on Jewish holy days such as Rosh Hashanah.

Getting back to St. Paul’s words about the last trumpet, I think believers everywhere are called to be messengers of truth and heralds of the Gospel of Life until the last day. We should all heed the words of the prophet Isaiah who instructs us to, “Raise your voice up like a trumpet (Isaiah 58:1).”

Here at Hosea Initiative we encourage all prolife-minded individuals to raise their voices up like trumpets in defense of the most precious gift God has ever given us-the gift of life, the very gift he gave us by virtue of His resurrection. In fact, Isaiah’s rallying cry served as the theme of Hosea Initiative’s first “Life is Beautiful” gala held this past December. 

The gala reminded those in attendance this year is a pivotal one, especially here in the United States. As our nation prepares to elect a president and vice-president, it is important that we, as faithful believers in the resurrection of Christ, raise our voices up like trumpets for life each and every day leading up to the election.

How will you “raise your voice up like a trumpet” for the unborn?  How will you serve as a messenger of truth and a herald of the Gospel of Life?


ACTION ITEM
Order your "Raise Up Your Voice Like a Trumpet" ornament HERE!!
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Julie Anderson is a member of the Hosea Board of Advisors, a freelance journalist of 20 years and a prolife advocate. She writes from her home state of Kansas. For her full bio, see hosea4you.org.

4 Comments
Brenda
4/13/2020 08:46:08 am

Julie, thank you for a wonderful article that touched me in a variety of ways. Having experienced the blessing of celebrating Mass at the empty tomb, along with the beauty of the angel helped draw me into the article. The angel also gave me an idea for a Christmas gift for one of my son-in'laws, so I was thrilled to see your organization sells them! Now I will need to start my list of ideas for Christmas gifts! My son-in-law is a trumpet player who played with a drum and bugle corp, became a band instructor, and writes drills for bands. This will be perfect for him!

I also liked how you developed the role of the angel and trumpet, while trying them into your mission. Thanks for sharing your insights!

Reply
Julie A Anderson
4/13/2020 03:38:02 pm

Thank you for your comments, Brenda. We appreciate the time you took to write your response, and we are so gratified to learn the blog touched your heart. We hope your son-in-law enjoys the ornament, and we hope you will use your voice as a trumpet for the Lord and the prolife message.

Reply
jenny delight
7/22/2020 06:22:31 am

EFFECTIVE AND PERFECT LOVE SPELL CASTER 
 My ex-boyfriend dumped me one week ago after I accused him of seeing someone else and insulting him. I wanted him back in my life again because i really love him but he refuse to have any contact with me. I was so confuse and i did not know what to do, so I reach to the Internet for help and I saw a testimony of how a spell caster help a woman from Scotland to get her ex back, so I contact the spell caster and explain my problem to him and he cast a spell for me and assure me of 2 days that my ex will return to me and to my greatest surprise the third day my ex came knocking on my door and beg for forgiveness. I am so happy that my love is back again and not only that, we are about to get married. Once again thank you Dr Jumba  . You are truly talented and gifted. Email; wiccalovespelltools@yahoo.com or wiccalovespelltools@gmail.com OR WhatsApp +1(908) 517-4108  is the only answer. He can be of great help and I will not stop publishing him because he is a wonderful man  BLOG : https://manifest277.blogspot.com/  

Reply
jenny delight
7/22/2020 06:22:45 am

EFFECTIVE AND PERFECT LOVE SPELL CASTER 
 My ex-boyfriend dumped me one week ago after I accused him of seeing someone else and insulting him. I wanted him back in my life again because i really love him but he refuse to have any contact with me. I was so confuse and i did not know what to do, so I reach to the Internet for help and I saw a testimony of how a spell caster help a woman from Scotland to get her ex back, so I contact the spell caster and explain my problem to him and he cast a spell for me and assure me of 2 days that my ex will return to me and to my greatest surprise the third day my ex came knocking on my door and beg for forgiveness. I am so happy that my love is back again and not only that, we are about to get married. Once again thank you Dr Jumba  . You are truly talented and gifted. Email; wiccalovespelltools@yahoo.com or wiccalovespelltools@gmail.com OR WhatsApp +1(908) 517-4108  is the only answer. He can be of great help and I will not stop publishing him because he is a wonderful man  BLOG : https://manifest277.blogspot.com/  

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