Ordinary Time
Thursday 05 February 2026
Today’s readings
Psalms 14, 15, 16
Genesis 21.1-21
Matthew 27.57-end
Matthew 27.57-end
‘Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb’ (v.61)
The drama of the cross in Matthew’s Gospel is one played out largely by men: Jesus, Peter, Judas, Caiaphas, Pilate, Barabbas, Simon of Cyrene. And for the most part that continues as his body is buried. Wealthy Joseph of Arimathea provides a tomb. The religious leaders and the Roman authorities continue to confer and plot.
But a small group of women watch from the margins. Most of them have followed the Lord all the way from Galilee. Among them are Mary Magdalene and the mothers of some of the disciples. They have played no active part in the drama. They have simply observed and they have doubtless prayed.
Here, what they see is hard proof that Jesus is really dead. His body is tightly wrapped in burial clothes and hurriedly placed in a small and airless tomb. They see also that there is no chance of its being stolen because soldiers are placed to guard it lest a rumour arise that he has risen from the dead.
They see these things, but they can do nothing. Soon they will find themselves right at the very heart of the action. But for now, they are silent witnesses, watching on and trusting in the vindication of God.
In every human drama, there are those who feel powerless to act and who can only watch on from the margins. That can feel a frustrating and disempowering place to be. But it is a role that should never be underrated. The quiet trust in God’s goodness of those who simply sit and pray can transform lives.
COLLECT
God of our salvation,
help us to turn away from those habits
which harm our bodies and poison our minds
and to choose again your gift of life,
revealed to us in Jesus Christ our Lord.