And behold, the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, rocks were split, tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. And coming forth from their tombs after his resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many.
The centurion and the men with him who were keeping watch over Jesus feared greatly when they saw the earthquake and all that was happening, and they said, “Truly, this was the Son of God.” Mt. 27:51-54
Immediately after the death of Jesus, Matthew symbolically brings out its meaning:
• The veil of the sanctuary barred entrance to all but the Jewish priest. Now it is torn in two and all people have access to God through Jesus
• The earthquake indicates that the foundations of the earth are shaken. The reign of God is beginning.
• The rising of the dead gives evidence that the death of Jesus is life-giving.
• The profession of faith by the Roman centurion is a sign of the Gentiles becoming disciples of Jesus.
The death – resurrection of Jesus is the turning point of history. During the three days of the Sacred Triduum (which begins this evening,) I enter into the dying and rising of Jesus. Let this be my prayer:
O God, as Jesus did in his dying, I place myself entirely in your hands, to live as you would have me live, to do what you would have me do. I trust, as did your Son on the cross, that this is the path to life.
Spend some quiet time with the Lord.
