IN PICTURES: MOMENTS DURING THE FEAST OF THE BLACK NAZARENE

FEAST OF THE BLACK NAZARENE

JANUARY 09, 2012

MANILA PHILIPPINES

Barefoot Catholic devotees jostle to kiss the cross being borne by the wooden statue known as the Black Nazarene as they gather at the Rizal Park Monday, Jan. 9, 2012 during it's annual festival in Manila, Philippines. More than 3 million devotees paraded the charred Christ statue, believed to have healing powers, through the Philippine capital despite a warning from President Benigno Aquino III that terrorists might target the gathering. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

A steel railing is removed to pave the way for the procession of the image of the Black Nazarene to celebrate its annual festival at the Rizal Park Monday Jan.9, 2012 in Manila, Philippines. More than 3 million devotees paraded the charred Christ statue, believed to have healing powers, through the Philippine capital despite a warning from President Benigno Aquino III that terrorists might target the gathering. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

Fireworks light up the sky during a dawn mass at the Rizal Park Monday Jan. 9, 2012 to celebrate the feast of the Black Nazarene in Manila, Philippines. More than 3 million devotees paraded the charred Christ statue, believed to have healing powers, through the Philippine capital despite a warning from President Benigno Aquino III that terrorists might target the gathering. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

A devotee climbs and kisses the wooden cross of the Black Nazarene during a procession in Manila January 9, 2012. The Black Nazarene, a life-size wooden statue of Jesus Christ carved in Mexico and brought to the Philippines in the 17th century, is removed from the Quiapo church on January 9 each year. Believed to have healing powers in the predominantly Roman Catholic country, it is paraded through the narrow streets of Manila's old city from dawn to midnight. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES - Tags: POLITICS RELIGION SOCIETY)

Monsignor Jose Clemente Ignacio gestures besides a statue of a Black Nazarene during a procession in Manila January 9, 2012. The Black Nazarene, a life-size wooden statue of Jesus Christ carved in Mexico and brought to the Philippines in the 17th century, is removed from the Quiapo church on January 9 each year. Believed to have healing powers in the predominantly Roman Catholic country, it is paraded through the narrow streets of Manila's old city from dawn to midnight. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES - Tags: POLITICS RELIGION SOCIETY)

A Filipino devotee carries his daughter to be able to kiss the foot of a centuries-old wood image of Jesus Christ known as the Black Nazarene at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, Philippines on Sunday Jan. 8, 2010. Philippine President Benigno Aquino III warned of a possible terrorist attack, including bombings, during an annual Roman Catholic procession tomorrow Jan. 9 to mark the feast day of the Black Nazarene in Manila that is expected to draw millions of devotees. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Catholic devotees take part in the annual religious procession of the statue of the Black Nazarene in Manila January 9, 2012. President Benigno Aquino warned on Sunday that officials were bracing for a possible Islamist militant attack in the capital on the eve of a religious procession to be joined by millions of barefoot devotees. The Black Nazarene, a life-size wooden statue of Jesus Christ carved in Mexico and brought to the Philippines in the 17th century, is removed from the Quiapo church on January 9 each year. Believed to have healing powers in the predominantly Roman Catholic country, it is paraded through the narrow streets of Manila's old city from dawn to midnight. REUTERS/Erik De Castro (PHILIPPINES - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY ANNIVERSARY)

Catholic devotees wave white handkerchiefs as they chant "Viva Nazareno" during the annual religious procession of the statue of the Black Nazarene in Manila January 9, 2012. President Benigno Aquino warned on Sunday that officials were bracing for a possible Islamist militant attack in the capital on the eve of a religious procession to be joined by millions of barefoot devotees. The Black Nazarene, a life-size wooden statue of Jesus Christ carved in Mexico and brought to the Philippines in the 17th century, is removed from the Quiapo church on January 9 each year. Believed to have healing powers in the predominantly Roman Catholic country, it is paraded through the narrow streets of Manila's old city from dawn to midnight. REUTERS/Erik De Castro (PHILIPPINES - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY ANNIVERSARY)

Catholic devotees jostle to hold a rope for pulling a carriage that transports the statue of the Black Nazarene during the annual religious procession in Manila January 9, 2012. President Benigno Aquino warned on Sunday that officials were bracing for a possible Islamist militant attack in the capital on the eve of a religious procession to be joined by millions of barefoot devotees. The Black Nazarene, a life-size wooden statue of Jesus Christ carved in Mexico and brought to the Philippines in the 17th century, is removed from the Quiapo church on January 9 each year. Believed to have healing powers in the predominantly Roman Catholic country, it is paraded through the narrow streets of Manila's old city from dawn to midnight. REUTERS/Erik De Castro (PHILIPPINES - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY ANNIVERSARY)

Rain pours as Filipino devotees carry a replica of a centuries-old black statue of Jesus Christ, known as the Black Nazarene, during the blessing and procession of the replicas in Manila, Philippines, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012. Tens of thousands of devotees are expected to join a procession on the feast day of the Black Nazarene on Monday, Jan. 9 to seek redemption from sins, miracle cures for illnesses and a better life. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Women devotees walks barefooted while carrying a replica of the Black Nazarene during a procession in Manila January 7, 2012. Millions of Filipinos devotees will take to the streets on Monday to participate in the grand procession as part of celebrations of the black wooden statue of Jesus of Nazarene. It is believed by locals that a miracle can happen after touching it. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Photo Credits:

8.5M FLOODED THE STREETS OF MANILA DURING THE FEAST OF BLACK NAZARENE

Photo Credits:

BLACK NAZARENE TRAVELS 22 HOURS ALONG THE STREETS OF MANILA

Nazarene procession ends after 22 hours

abs-cbnNEWS.com

Posted at 01/10/2012 7:12 AM | Updated as of 01/10/2012 10:40 AM

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE) - After more than 22 hours, the procession of the image of the Black Nazarene has ended.

The image of the Nazarene reached the doors of the Quiapo Minor Basilica past 6 a.m., ending what could be considered as the longest procession in the annual religious celebration's history.

At least 2 million devotees from across the country took part in the traditional grand annual procession of the Black Nazarene. The Manila Police District estimated that a total of about 8.5 million participated during the event.

Waving their white towels, devotees welcomed the dark-skinned Christ as it was returned to its altar. A Eucharistic celebration followed.

Some of the devotees also scrambled to get a fragment of the rope used in pulling the carriage of the image.

Meanwhile, the swarm of people at Plaza Miranda is gone. Street cleaners from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the city government have started sweeping the trash left by the devotees along the route of the procession.

Tension ensued during the Black Nazarene procession in Manila after devotees refused authorities' efforts to shorten its route.

Manila police and some of the millions of devotees engaged in a shoving match at around 9 p.m. after authorities tried to implement the decision of Monsignor Clemente Ignacio, rector of Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, to no longer follow the original route and instead bring the religious icon directly to the Quiapo church.

Devotees of the Black Nazarene became angry when police tried to direct the carriage carrying the image left toward Villalobos Street in Manila.

People even made a human barricade to force the procession to follow its original route.

The procession was earlier stalled after the rear tires of the carriage of the image of the Black Nazarene broke down. The carriage’s third tire broke down at the corner of Katigbak Drive and Roxas Boulevard, radio dzMM’s Noel Alamar reported.

One of the ropes connected to the carriage also broke, causing a delay in the procession in the area of Roxas Boulevard and Padre Burgos Street near Manila Hotel on Monday.

Nevertheless, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Allan Purisima heaved a sigh of relief after the procession ended relatively peaceful, amid earlier threats of a terror attack aimed at the devotees of the procession.

“Naging matagumpay naman ang ating security operations sa kapistahan ng Quiapo,” Purisima said. “In general peaceful po ang situation…tuloy-tuloy pa rin po ang deployment ng mga police natin at hindi po inaalis yung mga nandito sa Quiapo Church.”

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, meanwhile, confirmed a report that a house in Baseco compound was raided after one of the suspected terrorists was spotted in the area.

However, police arrested several individuals but they were released after the search yielded no evidence of any explosive materials.

“Nadala naman yung tao, nai-mbestigahaan sa headquarters. Wala namang nakuhang ebidensya, kaya ni-release din,” Lim said.

The event highlights the 405th celebration of the feast of the traslacion, which commemorates the transfer of the sacred image from the Recollect Church in Intramuros, Manila to the Quiapo Church in 1787.

At least 1,000 devotees were injured during the 22-hour procession. - with reports from Henry Atuelan and Noel Alamar, dzMM; ANC

Other Headlines

• A day of deadspots: Was Nazarene terror threat real?
• Nazarene procession ends after 22 hours
• Nazarene finally arrives in Quiapo church
• Procession of Quiapo's Black Nazarene ends
• Almost 1,000 hurt in Black Nazarene procession
• Scores hurt in Black Nazarene procession stampede
• Terror threat casts pall over Nazarene feast

Courtesy:

DEBATE ON THE BIRTH OF JESUS

Kuya Kim said: “Imposibleng ipinanganak Siya [Hesus] ng Disyembre. Dahil sa sobrang lamig ng winter sa Bethlehem, imposibleng ipinanganak siya sabsaban. Ipinanganak si Cristo ng spring kung saan naglabasan ang mga hayop at mainit-init na ang panahon. Ito ay mga buwan ng Marso, Abril o Mayo.”

OBJECTION: Kuya Kim may have not been aware [or failed to research] that we have conclusive evidences based on archaeological findings that Jesus was indeed born during winter season, specifically in the month of December.

The 2nd-century-B.C. Jewish text called the “Book of Jubilees”, one of the numerous manuscripts that was discovered by archaeologists in Qumram desert in 1947, has allowed us to know the dates of the sacerdotal schedule system for the Temple of Jerusalem, based on a cyclical order from Saturday to Saturday, recurring in the same period every year. This text then mentions that the class of Abia, the eighth of 24 that rotated to officiate as priest in the Temple, is schedule to enter the Temple in the week between 23 and September 30.

Now the Gospel of Luke mentions that Zechariah [who belonged in this priestly class of Abia (Luke 1:5)] received the message from the Angel Gabriel that his wife Elizabeth, although known to be barren, (Luke 1:7), will bear a son [the future John the Baptist] on the day “when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he [Zechariah] was serving as priest before God” (Luke 1:8). In fact if Zechariah indeed received the news from the angel on September 23, then Elizabeth would have conceived John on the very same day, or the following day [September 24]. (Surprisingly, the Church celebrates the feast of John the Baptist’s conception and birth on September 23 and June 24 respectively.)

The accounts in the Gospel of Luke, which were written in “an orderly account” (Luke 1:3), mentioned that the Virgin Mary received the message from the Angel Gabriel that she was to be the Mother of God "in the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy" (Luke 1:26; 1:36). If we count six months from September, the annunciation of the Angel to Mary would fall on March. Notice that the Catholic Church’s celebration of the feast of the Annunciation coincided on the 25th of March. If we add nine months from March 25, we will lead to December 25, more or less days.

Kuya Kim’s also said “dahil sa sobrang lamig ng winter sa Bethlehem, imposibleng ipinanganak siya sabsaban”. With all due respect to Kuya Kim, I find this statement unreasonable. Come to think of this: is it forbidden for any pregnant mother to give birth JUST BECAUSE IT’S WINTER? I strongly believe that Jesus’ birth is not “weather weather lang”.

***** 

Kuya Kim said: “Ipinanganak si Cristo ng spring kung saan naglabasan ang mga hayop…”

OBJECTION: What Kuya Kim might be pointing out in this statement is the idea that the angels could not have met the flocks and shepherds in open fields because of winter. However, Kuya Kim likewise failed to know [or perhaps research] that Judaism is entirely subject to the rules of purity. According to many ancient Jewish treatises, the Jews distinguished three types of herds.

The FIRST TYPE includes animals with WHITE fleece, with no marks or colour variations. From a religious point of view they were considered “pure”, and so a day in the fields, they could go back to their stable, which was often – and this was even likelier in the cases of small inhabited centres – in a village or town. A SECOND TYPE, included sheep whose wool was NOT COMPLETELY WHITE, but partly white and partly dark. These flocks were also allowed to return to the stable at nightfall. However, their shelter necessarily had to be located outside the inhabited area: outside the city walls in the case of a fortified town and outside the urban perimeter, or, at most, in outlying areas.

The THIRD TYPE includes sheep with DARK, if not pitch black, wool. These flocks are considered unclean, and are no allowed to enter either the city or in the fold, even after sunset. Moreover, they are FORCED TO REMAIN OUTSIDE WITH THEIR PASTORS, day and night, winter and summer. In light of these considerations, it is CONCLUSIVE that the shepherds and their flocks met by the angels on that holy night in Bethlehem belong to the third group, consisting of only black sheep.

***** 

Kuya Kim said:  “Kung taon naman ang pag-uusapan 4 A.D. ang birthday ni Kristo - ang taon kung kalian namatay si King Herod.”

OBJECTION: Kuya Kim said it right that King Herod died in 4 A.D.; reliable secular records states that king Herod died 37 years from the time the Romans declared him King, and 34 years from the time he actually became King. That places his death at 4 A.D.

HOWEVER, Kuya Kim said it wrong that Jesus was born on the same year Herod died. The Sacred Scriptures explicitly tells us that Jesus “was born in Bethlehem in Judea, DURING the time of King Herod” (Matthew 2:1), at that time, he wanted to kill Jesus (Matthew 2:13) and told the wise men to bring back word to him about the child.

We should also take note that St. Matthew’s Gospel tells us that “he [Herod] gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were TWO YEARS old and under, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TIME he had learned from the Magi.” (Matthew 2:16). Hence, based on the infallible Biblical record, we could say that it was only AFTER TWO YEARS since King Herod had enquired of the wise men that he ordered the massacre of the children of Bethlehem. Considering this, we can add at least another two years to the date (Herod, obviously, was alive 2 years "after" he enquired of the wise men to make this proclamation). So it is clear Jesus must have been born at least sometime around or before 6 B.C. (4+2=6).

We also know from the biblical record that considerable time must have elapsed between Jesus' birth and King Herod's death, because after that 2 years passed, Joseph took Mary and Jesus into Egypt to escape the death edict. Therefore Jesus had to have been born BEFORE 4 B.C., NOT ON THE YEAR HEROD DIED, as Kuya Kim claimed.

Kuya Kim said: “Bakit December 25 ang Pasko ang selebrasyon ng Kanyang birthday? Noong unang panahon sa Europa at Middle East, December 25 ang pinakamahalagang araw sa mga pagano, dahil ito ang araw ng Natalis Solis Invicti. Ito po ang birthday ni Mithras, ang Iranian sun god. Dahil sa ginusto ni Emperor Constantine na maging popular ang Kristianismo, sinabay niya ang birthday ni Jesus sa araw ng kapistahang pagano.”

Objection: Kuya Kim would be disappointed to know that it was the EXACT OPPOSITE that actually occurred. First of all, the birth of Jesus on December 25 had basis since the beginning of the 1st century or [1 AD] long before Constantine the Great was converted to Christianity(Constantine became emperor somewhere around 300 A.D.)

Theophilus of Antioch stated in 183 AD, and also by Hippolytus in 203 AD that Jesus was born on December 25, antedating the recognition of the pagan feast by almost 100 years. Allow me to quote Hippolytus:

"The First Advent of our Lord in the flesh occurred when He was born in Bethlehem, was DECEMBER 25th, a WEDNESDAY, WHILE AUGUSTUS WAS IN HIS FORTY-SECOND YEAR, which is five thousand and five hundred years from Adam. He suffered in the thirty-third year, March 25th, Friday, the eighteenth year of Tiberius Caesar, while Rufus and Roubellion were Consuls." - Saint Hippolytus of Rome, Commentary on Daniel

Now the pagan feast of Natalis Solis Invicti was only officially recognized in Rome during the reign of Emperor Aurelian in 274 AD, and it was celebrated in Rome on DECEMBER 19. In an attempt to draw attention away from, or replace, the Christian festival celebrating the Lord’s Christmas (which was already been established since 1st century AD), the pagan festival of Deus Sol Invictus was timed, or rather delayed by the pagans, until the 25th of December – the entire opposite of Kuya Kim’s claim.

With all due respect to Kuya Kim. ") Merry Christmas :)

REFERENCES:

La Storia Conferma La Nascita Di Gesù Il 25 Dicembre

di Michele Loconsole

http://www.zenit.org/article-20824?l=italian

Accessed: December 16, 2011

“As Christmas draws near, here is an unusual tale about the birth of Jesus”

by Marco Tosatti

http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/homepage/world-news/detail/articolo/natale-christmas-navidad-betlemme-bethlem-belen-10491/

Accessed: December 16, 2011

Can We Know What Year Jesus was Born?

by Tony Warren

http://www.mountainretreatorg.net/faq/birth.html

Accessed: December 26, 2011

Other Links

http://tumbukin-natin.blogspot.com/2011/12/kim-atienza-dec-25-not-jesus-birth-date.html

http://raffandcompany.wordpress.com/2011/12/19/waiting-for-christmas-2/

Credits:

FAITH IN GOD (UNEDITED)

Photo courtesy: http://lildsworldofjoy.blogspot.com

Somewhere in Milaor, Camarines Sur, there lived a fourth grader boy who would follow this route to school everyday: He has to cross the rugged plains and cross the dangerous highway where vehicles are recklessly driving to and from.

Once past this highway, the boy would take a short cut, passing by the Church every morning just to say Hi to God, and faithfully say his, "Magandang umaga po" in Bicol dialect. He was faithfully being watched by a Priest who was happy to find innocence so uplifting in the morning,"Kamusta, Andoy? Papasok ka na?""Opo padre ... "he would flash his innocent grin, the priest would be touched. He was so concerned that one day he talked to Andoy."From school...", he advised "Do not cross the highway, you can pass through the Church and I can accompany you to the other side of the road...that way I can see that you are home safe....""Thank you father ... ""Why don't you go home ... why do you stay in this church right after school?""I just want to say 'Hi' to my friend, God," and the priest would leave the boy to spend time beside the altar, talking to himself, but the priest was hiding behind the altar to listen to what this boy has to say to his heavenly FATHER."You know my math exam was pretty bad today, but I did not cheat although my seatmate is bullying me for notes... I ate one cracker and drank my water, Itay had a bad season and all I can eat is this cracker.Thank you for this! I saw a poor kitten who was hungry and I know how he feels so I gave my last cracker to him ... funny but I am not that hungry.Look, this is my last pair of slippers ...I may have to walk barefoot next week, you see this is about to be broken... but it is okay....at least I am still going to school.... Some say we will have a hard season this month, some of my classmates have already stopped going to school .... please help them get to school again, please God?....Oh, you know, Inay hit me again, it is painful, but I know this pain will pass away, at least I still have a mother.... God, you want to see my bruises? I know you can heal them.... Here... here and .... oh ...blood ....I guess you knew about this one huh? Please don't be mad at Inay, she is just tired and she worries for the food in our table and my schooling that is why she hits us....Oh, I think I am in love ... there's this pretty girl in my class, her name is Anita ... do you think she will like me? Anyway, at least I know you will always like me, I don't have to be anybody just to please you, you are my very best friend! Hey your birthday is two days from now!!! Aren't you excited? I am! Wait till you see, I have a gift for you . but it is a surprise! I hope you will like it! Oooops, I have to go ..." then he stood up and calls out, "Padre, padre, I am finished talking to my friend ....youcan accompany me to the other side of the road now"This routine happens everyday. Andoy never fails. Father Agaton shares this every Sunday to the people in his church because he has not seen a very pure faith and trust in God, a very positive look at negative situations.One Christmas day, Father Agaton was sick so he could not make it in the Church, he was sent to the hospital. The Church was left to 4 manangs who would chant the rosary in 1000 miles per hour, would not smile and would always find fault in what you do, they were also very well versed in cursing if you irritate them! They were kneeling, saying their kilometric rosary when Andoy, coming from his Christmas party,playfully dashed in."Hello God! I ......""P----!! (a curse) bata ka!! Alam mo nang may nagdadasal!! Alis!!"Poor Andoy was so terrified, "Where's Father Agaton? He is supposed to help me cross the street ... and to be able to cross the street I will have to pass by the back door of this church .not only that, I have to greet Jesus. It is His birthday, I have a gift right here...." Just as he was about to get the gift out of his shirt, the manang pulled his shirt and threw him out of the church. "Susmaryosep!!! (does the sign of the cross fervently) Alis kang bata ka, kung hindi matatamaan ka!!!So the boy had no choice but to cross the dangerous side of the road in front of the church. He crossed. A fast moving bus came in.There was a blind curve. The boy was protecting his gift inside his shirt, so he was not looking. There was so little time. Andoy died on the spot. A lot of people crowded the poor boy, the body of a lifeless young boy ...Suddenly, out of nowhere a tall man in a pure white shirt and pants, a face so mild and gentle, but with eyes full of tears... He came and carried the boy in His arms. He was crying. Curious bystanders nudged the man in white, and asked,"Excuse me sir, are you related to this child?Do you know this child?"The man in white, His face mourning and in agony, looked up and answered,"He was my best friend . " was all he said. He took the badly wrapped gift in the bloody chest of the lifeless boy, and placed it near His heart.He stood up and carried the boy away and they both disappeared in sight.The crowd was curious ...On Christmas Eve, Father Agaton learned of the shocking news. He visited the house, and wanted to verify about the man in white. He consulted the parents of Andoy."How did you know that your son died?""A man in white brought him here." sobbed the mother. "What did he say?"The father answered, "He did not say anything. He was mourning. We do not know him and yet he was very lonely about our son's death, as if he knew our son very well. But there was something peaceful and unexplainable about him.He gave me my son, and then he smiled peacefully. He brushed my son's hair away from his face and kissed him on his forehead, then he whispered something...""What did he say?""He said to my boy..." the father began, "Thank you for the gift .... I will see you soon ... you will be with me..." and the father of the boy continued, "and you know for a while, it felt sowonderful ... I cried, but I do not know why....all I know is I cried tears of joy .... I could not explain it, Father, but when that man left, something peaceful came over me, I felt a deep senseof love inside ... I could not explain the joy in my heart, I knew my boy is in heaven now but...tell me, Father, who is this man that my son talks to everyday in your church, you should know because you are always there ... except at the time of his death ......"Father Agaton suddenly felt the tears welling in his eyes, withtrembling knees, he murmurred, " ... He was talking to no one ......but .. GOD...."

Source: Circulating post via social networking sites (unedited)

THE GLORIES OF MARY

Photo courtesy: http://www.goodreads.com

THE GLORIES OF MARY: A WICKED WOMAN

               

Photo courtesy: http://www.goodreads.com

      

Photo courtesy: http://coolspotters.com  

In Mexico there was a WICKED WOMAN, who, having fallen sick, repented, and made a vow to Mary, that if she recovered, she would make her the offering of her HAIR...

She got well, and made the promised offering to a statue of the Blessed Virgin. 

She, however, relapsed into sin; again fell ill, and died IMPENITENT... 

One day after this had occurred, Mary SPOKE FROM THE STATUE to the Jesuit father John Mary Salvaterra, in the PRESENCE of a GREAT CONCOURSE of people, and said:

"Take this hair from my head, for it belongs to an IMPURE SOUL, who is already DAMNED; it does not, therefore, become the head of the Mother of PURITY."

The father obeyed, and without delay threw it into the FIRE...

Excerpt from: THE GLORIES OF MARY

by St. Alphonsus Liguori

(with Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA MARY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA MARY

Hail Mary full of grace

Taken last year September 08, 2011

St. Francis Church of Mandaluyong

REJOICE! FOR THE LORD IS TRULY RISEN!

ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA!

Matthew 28

¹ After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. ² There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³ His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. ⁴The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

 ⁵ The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. ⁷ Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

 ⁸ So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹ Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

 ¹¹ While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. ¹² When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, ¹³ telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ ¹⁴ If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” ¹⁵ So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”