When the Risen Lord showed himself, according to Matthew’s Gospel, two women saw him first. Next, Jesus invites the women to extend the invitation to his disciples to come to Galilee, where his close friends would see him. Back then, people didn’t think much of women or Galilee. But in these unexpected choices, we find a beautiful lesson about how God reveals Himself to us. What does this teach us?
I’m writing from Nigeria, my native country, where I’m about to share my work on “Digital Technology and the Church in Nigeria” with professors and scholars at the Catholic Theological Association of Nigeria (CATHAN). During the three holiest days in the life of the Church (Triduum), I joined the Catholic community of Holy Trinity Church Maitama in Abuja for the liturgies. They were moving spiritual moments. The church was full, and on Good Friday, thousands gathered to be part of Jesus’ journey to the cross. Seeing so many people’s faith so strong in my home country touched my heart deeply.
As we look through the Gospel of Matthew 28:8-15, we find a particular verse that captures a pivotal moment but calls us to share what we’ve seen and heard. Jesus tells the women, “Don’t be scared. Go tell my friends to meet me in Galilee; they’ll see me there.” This moment is significant—it reminds us how important it is to share the incredible things God does in our lives.
Women Leading the Way
At the Lord’s resurrection, the first people he appeared to were Mary Magdalene and another Mary. The appearance wasn’t just by chance. Jesus always wanted to shake things up, showing that everyone matters, even those who people often ignore or are not taken seriously. By choosing these women to share the biggest news ever, Jesus showed that God’s love reaches out to everyone, no matter who they are.
Seeing these women at the forefront of sharing Jesus’ resurrection tells us something remarkable. Everyone has a vital role in telling God’s story. Often, the most courageous resurrection stories come from the unexpected.
Galilee: More Than Just a Place
Galilee was where Jesus began his ministry (Mark 1:14-15), delivered his essential teachings (Matthew 5-7), and called his first disciples (Matthew 4:18-22). However, Galilee could have been fancier and more well-respected among the regions in Israel at the time.
At the time, Galileans faced prejudice, partly because Upper Galilee had many gentiles—people from different cultures attracted by economic opportunities. Many elites overlook its people and culture. Moreover, others in Israel often looked down upon Galileans’ unique accent. The label “Galilee of the Gentiles” (Matthew 4:16) tells the story. Yet, it was in Galilee that Jesus did many fascinating things. Galilee is where the Lord chooses to see his brothers after his rising from the dead. God’s ways are unique, and strikingly beautiful.
But why choose Galilee over Jerusalem or elsewhere? It reminds us that God often appears in places or through people we might not expect. Galilee means a lot more than just a spot on the map. As I hinted earlier, it’s where Jesus started his work, shared his biggest lessons, and called his first friends. It’s a place full of memories, like remembering where we were when something extraordinary happened in our lives. For the married, think of the place where you were when you spouse proposed. You always remember.
Choosing Galilee over somewhere like Jerusalem tells us that God loves the humble and the simple. With their unique accent and way of life, Galileans were looked down upon as people viewed women at the time. Yet, the Risen Lord’s response shows us that these kinds are the people and places he values highly. He meets them intimately.
Always Remember and Tell
The call to go back to Galilee is like being asked to remember how our journey with God started—full of simplicity, affection, and a heart open to following Jesus, even when it’s tough. The fantastic surprise of Jesus being alive is a message of hope, especially for those who feel overlooked or undervalued. It tells us that God is always with us, bringing new life and joy.
Returning to these roots, like I did when returning to Nigeria for Easter, makes all those first feelings of love for God come alive again. It’s a powerful reminder to keep our hearts open to that first love, no matter where we are in our journey. No matter our joys and worries, may we not forget our resurrection stories.
Galilee lives in each of us—it’s that warm, familiar place in our hearts where we especially meet God. It’s where we’re reminded of his love and called to share it with the world. Let’s return to our Galilee, keeping our faith fresh and full of love, just like those first followers did.
