Easter Sunday
Reading: John 20: 1-9 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.’
Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went towards the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and he believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture that he must rise from the dead.
Reflection Here we see a wonderful example of ministry to Jesus. Mary Magdalene had been liberated from her tombs of sin and brokenness by Jesus and now she wished to pray at his tomb and minister to his body. When she went to the tomb she saw that the stone had been rolled away. She cried out in despair, ‘they have taken him away and we don’t know where they have laid him.’ Peter ran with the other disciple – here again we see two people setting out on mission together as happened in (Mark 6:7) Now they are going to look for the body of Jesus. We see where Peter’s companion reaches the tomb first but was too scared to go in; Peter whose courage had failed him when he denied Jesus enters the tomb first and discovers that Jesus is missing. He is then joined by his companion and together the full message and teaching of scripture is revealed to them that Jesus had to rise from the dead so that the scriptures could be fulfilled. Once again this insight is offered to them when they are together in mission and confirms the importance of communion in community where we pray together, share together and support each other on our journey of faith. Prayer Entering ever more fully into the mystery of Eastertide may the stones that block our belief be removed from our hearts; The scales fall from our eyes, our hearts be cleansed of fear; May we joyfully move forward in hope sharing in Christ’s mission of proclaiming the Gospel to all to whom he sends us; We make this prayer through Christ our Risen, glorified Lord, Amen.
Comments