Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the apostles; but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.
Luke 24:10–11 (RSV)
'An idle tale' is a curious detail St. Luke records in his account of the resurrection. Cleopas and his companion on the road to Emmaus, their early response to the news that Jesus rose from the dead, is confused.
It seems to be a disrespectful attitude toward the women who went to the tomb. Their word was not taken seriously, dismissed out of hand. Yet, how would we react to such news? Our beloved leader dead, our cowardice in his last hours, the apparent triumph of his enemies all combined to leave us defeated.
The news of the resurrection would fall like an accusation. Jesus had promised His rising, and they all failed Him. Now they would have to face Jesus, their failure exposed, inexcusable.
Jesus was gracious to them all, opening their hearts and minds to believe that what He had promised had come to pass. The 'idle tale' the women carried was the dawn of hope for all the human race.
Like the apostles, we will face Jesus on the last day. All our failures will rise to accuse us as well. We, too, will not wish to believe it has happened. As did the apostles, so we will find the grace and mercy of the Risen Christ poured out upon us.
Thanks be to God whose grace overcomes our folly and, by faith, brings us into the Kingdom.