Joyce Hollyday illustrates the example of Mary Magdalene and the other Mary as one who heeded the familiar Divine call of “Do Not Fear.” In Matthew’s account these are two of the women who encounter the empty tomb and then encounter Jesus. Hollyday points out there simultaneous joy and dread at the sight of the empty tomb. But holds them up as examples because they heeded the words of the risen Christ to not be stifled by fear. That stifling effect is definitely a temptation for us today, as Hollyday points out. But just like the two women, “we have the confidence of our faith. We have seen the risen Lord.” 1 Corninthians 13 is the well known description of love and it is a lofty goal, only achieved in the Spirit. 1 John 4:18 also adds to the description and talks of the action of love. Love drives out fear. The women’s love for Christ overcame their fear. May our love do the same, we have not been given the spirit of fear after all (2 TImothy 1:7))