Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

the Dark before the Dawn
CatholicExchange.com ^ | April 5, 2007 | Sylvia Dorham

Posted on 04/07/2007 4:48:05 PM PDT by Salvation

Sylvia Dorham  
Other Articles by Sylvia Dorham
Printer Friendly Version
 
The Dark Before Dawn

April 6, 2007

It's Friday night, after they have hastily entombed the body.

John brings Mary back to the house. He puts her downstairs in a sleeping room, and climbs the ladder to the Upper Room.

Peter is sitting on the floor against the wall. John tells him what happened. Peter curls into fetal position on the floor and sobs.

John looks up to see Mary climbing unsteadily into the room. Peter's cries have roused her.

Mary, consoling Peter, sits with him on the floor, wiping tears from his beard and staunching his running nose. She sops his sweat with her mantle, and he sees blood on it. He bursts into a fresh paroxysm of tears. She hugs his head to her, rocking him. Petting his head, reminding him to strengthen his brothers.

He is ashamed that she is nursing his weakness as she only recently nursed her son's strength, but it is without bitterness that he climbs to his feet and, with her encouragement, begins to welcome each of the disciples as they trickle furtively back into the Upper Room, each as ashamed as Peter at their betrayal.

It is the Sabbath.

Like criminals, stealthily, they have returned to the place they were last together. Peter seats them at the table. He breaks the bread and blesses the wine, serving each. They choke it down, remembering.

Peter has John tell what happened.

He tells them how Mary is their mother now. They must care for her.

The others relate what they heard during the night. Plans to hunt down and kill the disciples. Earthquake damage reports. Rumors about Judas' suicide. Anger and disbelief over what he did. Incomprehension. In fury, they cry.

Peter tells them to sleep, and they curl up on the floor, miserable but together.

All day, the Sabbath, they sleep, eat when they can, pray quietly, and make Mary comfortable. Everyone is very quiet for fear someone will come and drag them away to be crucified.

 Each disciple glances at Mary, now their special charge, who, looking dazed, spends much time holding John's hand. She is very quiet. At mid-day, she puts a veil over her face. An occasional caught breath is the only indication of her emotion.

James travels covertly through the city and brings other women to the upstairs chamber to sit with her. They try to get her to eat.

The women plan a proper burial. Too hasty, last night. The men quietly slip into the streets to obtain supplies. They cannot travel far. Several friends provide the hundred pounds of herbs, ointments, and spices. The women will stay overnight.

Peter doesn't want to go. There is a guard detail at the tomb, he's heard. They'll arrest him the moment they see him. No one will bother an old lady and her companions as they embalm a dead body, but him! He fights the urge to run.

The day creeps into evening, and the pit in Peter's stomach grows heavier. He decides to go home. To Capernaum. At least he can still fish, even if the townspeople laugh at him for his itinerant preaching days.

In the morning. He'll go in the morning.

A distant roar wakes John. It's a heavy noise which reverberates like a living sound over the sleeping city. He gets up and tiptoes past the somnolent disciples to waken the women. It is still dark, but the sun will be up and the Sabbath over by the time they are ready. Each woman will carry a heavy jar of ointment. Mary will take the spices.

John opens the front door furtively, peering up the street before beckoning with his hands to the women, a silent black parade who follow him as far as the edge of the garden, where Mary insists he return home. John is almost back to the house when he is overtaken by running soldiers. They are disheveled with wild eyes. Some are missing their equipment.

John presses himself against a house, hoping to be overlooked, but the soldiers fly past as if the very gates of hell were loosed at their heels. John steals back to the Upper Room, not missed by the sleeping disciples.

The sun creeps up. Peter's been asleep. Warm. Comfortable. It's the moment between waking and remembering.

The door is flung open by a wild, round-eyed woman, yelling! The disciples are dazed. Half asleep, they tell her to calm down. Dust dances in the streams of sunlight pouring through the windows she's thrown open.

They shield their eyes, annoyed. Wondering at her impropriety.

From the ashes of anguish in Peter's heart, there leaps a bolt of ecstatic hope at her words. Oh God! Can it be?

Exchanged looks with John. This would be just like Jesus! Their eyes meet in wordless agreement. They bolt from the house, clattering down the ladder past the woman who is breathing hard, too excited to say more.

She follows Peter and John and the other apostles who are struggling into coats and straggling after them through quiet, early morning streets.

A million thoughts fly through Peter's brain — "Son of Man will rise again," is this what he meant? Oh God! Oh God! Please! Please!

John gets to the garden first and runs to Mary, who is standing, still and beautiful, a look of profound peace on her countenance. He stands with her, looking into the tomb.

Peter stumbles to them, and stops short, gasping, digging fingers into his side against the cramp. He tries to make sense of the massive boulder flung like a child's toy away from the entrance. It is fifty cubits UP the hill, lodged behind a clump of trees.

Several spears and helmets are scattered about as if abandoned in great haste.

Impulsively, unable to think, he shoulders past Mary and John and plunges into the cool darkness of the tomb.

The cave is deep, but light pours in through the entrance. Peter gives a strangled cry and falls to his knees, clutching at the burial shroud.

It is empty.



TOPICS: Catholic; History; Religion & Culture
KEYWORDS: catholiclist; lent; mothermary; vigil
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-34 next last
It might have happened like this.

This little scenario brought tears to my eyes. Perhaps it will touch you in the same way.

1 posted on 04/07/2007 4:48:06 PM PDT by Salvation
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

**”Son of Man will rise again,” is this what he meant? **

Still crying here. Thank you Lord Jesus, for coming to die for our sins and save us.


2 posted on 04/07/2007 4:51:36 PM PDT by Salvation (" With God all things are possible. ")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: All
The Dark before Dawn

Easter and the Holy Eucharist(Catholic/Orthodox Caucus)

Holy Saturday and the Easter Vigil

Easter Day and Easter Season

RCIA and Holy Saturday

THE EASTER LITURGY [Easter Vigil] (Anglican and Catholic Rites)

Holy Saturday and the Easter Vigil

Poles visit symbolic Christ's Graves on Holy Saturday

Easter Vigil tonight

HOMILIES PREACHED BY FATHER ALTIER FOR EASTER VIGIL FROM 2002-2005

3 posted on 04/07/2007 4:53:43 PM PDT by Salvation (" With God all things are possible. ")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway; sandyeggo; Lady In Blue; NYer; american colleen; ELS; Pyro7480; livius; ...
Catholic Discussion Ping!

Please notify me via FReepmail if you would like to be added to or taken off the Catholic Discussion Ping List.

4 posted on 04/07/2007 4:55:01 PM PDT by Salvation (" With God all things are possible. ")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Salvation
The world is in darkness after the Crucifixion on Good Friday. But the glory of Sunday morning is on its way!
5 posted on 04/07/2007 5:55:43 PM PDT by Ciexyz (Is the American voter smarter than a fifth grader?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Salvation

That was lovely! Thank you.


6 posted on 04/07/2007 6:00:49 PM PDT by Tax-chick ("His mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever He tells you.' ")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Salvation

A most credible rendition of what might have really happened.


7 posted on 04/07/2007 6:01:08 PM PDT by Ciexyz (Is the American voter smarter than a fifth grader?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Salvation

When I had read this story, I think first thing of the song, “He’s Alive!”. The story is very touching, gives one pause to realized how choatic that fateful weekend was.


8 posted on 04/07/2007 8:29:36 PM PDT by Biggirl (A biggirl with a big heart for God's animal creation.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Salvation

What a neat meditation! Thank you for sharing.


9 posted on 04/07/2007 8:37:20 PM PDT by Knitting A Conundrum (Act Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly With God Micah 6:8)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Salvation

Beautiful. Just beautiful. Please post it every Easter!


10 posted on 04/07/2007 11:36:51 PM PDT by B-Chan (Catholic. Monarchist. Texan. Any questions?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: M Kehoe; kstewskis; Victoria Delsoul; Raquel; kassie; Carolinamom; Kelly_2000; Tax-chick
Thank you, Mike!

I loved it.

HE HAS RISEN!

11 posted on 04/08/2007 5:10:20 AM PDT by Northern Yankee (Freedom Needs A Soldier)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Salvation

After the day of darkness came a morning like no other.We do not know if Easter morning happened this way.But we must all agree, something did happened!Something happened to make men who hid in terror come into the light again proclaiming this man who was nailed to a tree by his enemies had risen! Our sins were now forgiven because of his torture on the cross and that He is with us always! What did happen ? We are saved through the sacrifice of one Solitary Man.Jesus never left the middle east he never traveled far from home. But one man changes the world with HIS LIFE, HIS Horrible death and HIS Resurrection. May this day live in your hearts , may you remember this morning. May we never forget our Lord,He never forgot us. May the peace and Joy of Easter be yours everyday , all the days of your life.HAPPY EASTER ! God loves us all!


12 posted on 04/08/2007 8:25:02 AM PDT by betsyross1776 (BIG HOME DO NOT BUY YOU HAPPINESS)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: betsyross1776

**But one man changes the world with HIS LIFE, HIS Horrible death and HIS Resurrection. **

Amen!

Alleluia!


13 posted on 04/08/2007 8:27:17 AM PDT by Salvation (" With God all things are possible. ")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Salvation

Happy Happy Easter,Christ has risen! Even better HE IS ALIVE!


14 posted on 04/08/2007 8:38:47 AM PDT by betsyross1776 (BIG HOME DO NOT BUY YOU HAPPINESS)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Salvation

Beautiful. Thanks for posting it.


15 posted on 04/08/2007 8:39:50 AM PDT by SuzyQue (Remember to think.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SuzyQue

Thanks and a beautiful Easter Season to you and your family.


16 posted on 04/08/2007 8:42:38 AM PDT by Salvation (" With God all things are possible. ")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: All
An Unforgettable Morning

Fr. Jerome Magat  
Other Articles by Fr. Jerome Magat
Printer Friendly Version
 
An Unforgettable Morning

April 6, 2007

Every time we celebrate morning Mass on Easter Sunday, we hear the same eyewitness account taken from the Gospel of St. John. One of the unique features of this account is the painstaking detail John devotes to the status of the burial cloths and the cloth that covered our Lord's head in the tomb.

The Greek version of this account reveals a much more vivid description of the status of the burial cloths in the tomb than our English translation. In Greek, the words used to describe the condition of the burial cloths suggest that the linens were deflated or flattened, not pushed aside as we do with a blanket or comforter when we arise each morning. Instead, the Greek translation suggests that our Lord passed right through the linens.

We also read that the cloth (in Latin, a sudarium) that covered our Lord's head was rolled up in a separate place. A sudarium was used to cover the head of the deceased and was tied with a knot at the top. When our Lord's body arrived at the tomb for burial having been transported from Calvary, the sudarium was removed and the burial shroud placed over the head. The knot would have given the sudarium a twisted or rolled-up appearance.

 The status of both the burial cloths and the sudarium suggests that the Resurrection transcends all the laws of nature. This should remind us that the Resurrection is not the same phenomenon as what happened to Lazarus, who was raised from the dead. Unlike the Resurrected Christ, who would never die again, Lazarus would surely experience death a second time. Unlike the Resurrected Christ who passes through the linen burial cloths, Lazarus would have to be unbound of his bandages.

Thus, the Resurrection reveals an entirely new dimension of existence. A resurrected body is a glorified body, capable of passing through walls and doors; not subject to disease or death; and a body that enjoys a certain luminous glow and total perfection. In this single event of the Resurrection, Christ's human body and human soul were reunited. And so, we believe that at the final judgment, cemeteries will be very busy places because every human body will be reconstituted in a glorified state and rejoined to the soul that once animated it to either enjoy the eternal bliss of heaven or the eternal fires of hell.

While we have evidence of an empty tomb and eye-witnesses, the Resurrection is still a matter of faith for it reveals a level of existence well beyond ordinary human comprehension. The gift of faith is needed in order to begin to scratch the surface of what this mystery really means.

Some readers of this column may have attended or at least seen the television broadcast of Easter Sunday Mass at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. The grand basilica serves as testimony to Peter's martyrdom in Rome so many years ago. This martyrdom is a kind of "proof" that the Resurrection really happened. After all, it was Peter who accompanied John to the tomb on the eyewitness account of Mary Magdalene. Peter himself saw and conversed with our Resurrected Lord. Peter's faith led him to give his life as a martyr because he knew he was assured of the Resurrection so long as he remained faithful to the end.

May the example of the martyrs and the testimony of the Apostles inspire within us greater faith, hope and love in the Resurrected One, who promises us a new, transcendent and glorified existence, as a reward for our fidelity to Him.


17 posted on 04/08/2007 8:50:20 AM PDT by Salvation (" With God all things are possible. ")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Salvation

Thank you, and the same to you.


18 posted on 04/08/2007 8:51:58 AM PDT by SuzyQue (Remember to think.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Kolokotronis

Easter Ping. He is Risen, Alleluia!


19 posted on 04/08/2007 9:51:22 AM PDT by StAthanasiustheGreat (Vocatus Atque Non Vocatus Deus Aderit)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Salvation

Thanks for posting, it brought tears to my eyes as well.


20 posted on 04/08/2007 1:28:47 PM PDT by Diva
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-34 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson