As we read today’s Gospel, we can see the wheels turning in the mind of St. John, “the beloved disciple,” as he recounts the story of Jesus’ resurrection. Mary Magdalene has returned, desolate, to the apostles, recounting a rolled-away tombstone, and an empty tomb. As they race to the spot, John outruns Peter, the chief apostle who denied their Master as He faced impending death.
St. John, by contrast, has remained faithful to our Lord in His agony, accompanying Him till His last breath and taking His mother Mary into his home. Today, he quietly defers to Peter’s primacy in leadership, allowing Peter to enter the tomb first to examine the evidence.
Revelation
And in that very moment, revelation comes! …he saw and he believed. The disciples had not yet understood “the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead.” But now, new revelation dawns on this disciple whom Jesus loves. Indeed, He has risen as He said! Jesus’ often mysterious words and parables take on new life and meaning. Every word that Jesus has spoken blossoms with new promise. We can just imagine John’s face lighting up, hope brimming in his eyes and joy in his heart. How much faster would his feet have flown back to his friends as he anticipated meeting His beloved Lord and resting his head once again on those eternal shoulders!
Truly, there is not a comparable day in the entire year that resounds as much with joy and triumph as Easter Sunday morning!
Pure Joy
Our beloved Lord has passed over – from excruciating suffering, crucifixion and an ignominious death to the imperishable crown of universal kingship and eternal glory. He has descended into Hell, risen in triumph on the third day, and has appeared in the flesh to His beloved apostles and disciples. He has opened the gates of Heaven to a humanity once lost to sin. How can we contain our joy at so great a mystery?
With the Psalmist, we shout with gladness, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad! The right hand of the Lord has struck with power, the right hand of the Lord is exalted!”
Indeed, we too shall live and not die!
Journeyed
For 40 days, we journeyed together through the wilderness, and as we shed some of our worldly attachments, we encountered a little more of Christ’s grace and light, His healing, forgiveness and consolations. Today, and for 49 days ahead, we can look with hope beyond the somber realities of suffering and death, of darkness and mourning in our earthly lives. At church, the icons of the saints and angels – that faithful cloud of witnesses whose spirits join us at Holy Mass – are once more unshrouded, and we can rejoice in our fellowship with them.
Outdoors, the sun shines just a little bit brighter, the grass is greening, birds chirp and frail blossoms emerge from the frozen ground. All of creation, redeemed and restored, joins the triumphant Hallelujah!
God of Restoration and Consolation
Beloved, for those of us who have lost a loved one, good health, gainful employment, a beloved home, a precious relationship or cherished dream, let our Lord’s resurrection remind us that these “deaths” do not have a final say, Jesus does. He is the great God of restoration and consolation. There is hope of rejoicing once more.
We are reminded of Mary Magdalene, who, waiting at the tomb, unconsolable at the loss of Christ’s body, is asked, “Woman, why are you weeping?” May we, like her, today, hear the voice of our Master say our name. May His voice bring about the confident hope that Christ is Lord over every battle we face. Death, in every form, has been defeated by Christ’s astounding victory.
Oh death, I will not be afraid In the end, you will lose I will dance on your grave with the One who buried you Oh Death! (Song by MercyMe)
[Readings: Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-9]
