Mary's news of his resurrection filled their hearts with fear. This was something they had not anticipated, something they couldn't understand. It was more startling and astonishing even than the night Jesus had knelt and washed their feet. Again, you and I could imagine ourselves in such a room, for we, like the first disciples, tend to gather with like-minded people when we are faced with sudden change and are uncertain about what comes next. The world is moving so fast that it takes our breath away.
Expectations are high.
The rules seem to shift faster than we can learn them. Sometimes it seems as if the life we have known is passing away, that what we hoped to hand on to our children either won't be there to give, or won't be wanted when we offer it. Our communities change. Strangers come who are not like us. They don't sing our songs or tell our stories.