Replies

Meditation: John 20:1-9

Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord

On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb. (John 20:1)

It’s Easter Sunday. Today, we celebrate the fact that more than two thousand years ago, Jesus’ resurrection changed everything. Sin was defeated. Satan was vanquished. Death was swallowed up by life. But Easter Sunday is not just history. It’s a present reality that is still changing everything!

Today, an age of grace is proclaimed. Jesus reigns victorious from the highest heavens. He commissions us to spend our lives ushering the graces of heaven down to earth, to our families, neighbors, friends, and even to strangers and enemies. And in this commission he calls you not his servant but his friend.

Today, a river of life flows. Jesus has become a life-giving spirit, pouring out the Holy Spirit onto the whole world. From this spring of resurrection power, a mighty river is cascading. It’s the millions upon millions of lives who have experienced the power of God in conversion. Your life has been swept up, too.

How can we even begin to honor God for what he has done for us today? We can start by following the footsteps of the disciples in today’s Gospel. So, like Mary Magdalene, seek out his presence as your first priority. Then, keep running to him throughout the day in prayer—just as Peter and John sprinted to the tomb. Go ahead. Peer into his empty grave, as they did, and see that Jesus isn’t dead. He’s alive! See for yourself that he has been moving in your life all these years, making you a new creation.

Imagine heaven’s celebration today. See Jesus enthroned there, surrounded by the praise of the saints and angels. Now see him enthroned in your heart. Reflect on all that today—Easter Sunday—has meant for you.

And believe.

“Lord Jesus, you are alive!”

Acts 10:34, 37-43; Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23; Colossians 3:1-4

Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion

(Acts 10:34,37-43; Psalm 118:1-216-17,22-23; Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6-8; John 20:1-9)

1. On Easter Sunday, after 40 days of reflection on the passion and death of Jesus Christ, we now celebrate the resurrection of the Lord. But more than that, we celebrate our own resurrection to new life in Jesus, through our faith and our Baptism. In what way have you experienced the new life that Jesus came to give you through his death and resurrection?

2. In the first reading from Acts, Peter says that, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil” (Acts 10:38). Do you believe that through faith and Baptism, you also have been anointed with the Holy Spirit and power? Why or why not? If you do believe this, what keeps you from doing the same kinds of works as Jesus did? Also, what keeps you from telling others that “everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name” (Acts 10:43).

3. The responsorial psalm also speaks of the power of the Lord, “The right hand of the Lord has struck with power; the right hand of the Lord is exalted” (Psalm 118:16). The Psalm goes on to say, “I shall not die, but live and declare the works of the Lord” (118:17). Do you believe the Lord has given you the power to declare the works of the Lord to others? Why or why not? Share a time when sharing the Gospel with someone had a positive impact on their life?

4. In the second reading from Colossians, we hear this startling proclamation, “you were raised with Christ” (Colossians 3:1). What do you think these words mean? What about the following words, “For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ. When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory” (3:3-4). How can you allow the truth of these words to impact how you live out your day, especially when faced with temptations or difficult circumstances?

5. The Gospel reading says that John the apostle “believed” when he saw the burial clothes, even though he “did not yet understand the Scriptures that he had to rise from the dead” (John 20:9). Why do you think John was able to believe without any real understanding of the resurrection of Christ? How would you describe your own belief in the resurrection of Christ? How does your “belief” make a difference in your every day life? How much should it?

6. The meditation challenges us with this question regarding the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday: “How can we even begin to honor God for what he has done for us today?” How would you answer this question?

7. Take some time now and pray for a greater revelation of what it means that “Jesus is Risen.” Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point.

A Christian Pilgrim

YOUR EMPTY TOMB [ MATTHEW 28:1-10] – EASTER SUNDAY, 20 APRIL 2014

EASTER is the celebration of what Pope Paul VI described as “the unique and sensational event on which the whole of human history turns.”

Scripture has no account of the actual happening of the resurrection of Jesus. We are told of the discovery of the empty tomb and of the appearance of the risen Lord to various disciples. By means of these appearances the disciples are led into making the huge step of faith from following the man, Jesus of Nazareth, to believing that He was the Son of God who triumphed over death.

It was as if somebody who could walk suddenly found the ability to fly. Resurrection life is as much (and more) above ordinary, earthly life as flying is above walking. Faith is such a leap forward from the human level of life to participation in divine life. (Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFMCap.)

The tomb is empty: Jesus Christ is risen: and the story of humanity will never be the same again.

There is a very puzzling line in the old translation of the Apostles’ Creed” “He descended into hell.” It is a phrase that locates Jesus on that Sabbath between the dying and the rising.

The word “hell” in this instance is not a reference to the state of eternal damnation. The originally meant a hiding place. Later it acquired a more precise application to the hidden abode of the dead. The phrase in the creed expresses the belief that Jesus liberated the souls of the just who had died before His time.

In an apocalyptic reflection on the death of Jesus, Matthew’s Gospel states: “The rocks were split; the tombs opened and the bodies of many holy men rose from the dead, and these, after His resurrection, came out of the tombs, entered the Holy City and appeared to a number of people” (Matthew 27:52-53).

The notion of Jesus opening up he hiding places of the dead is relevant to all the caves of darkness where we hid in pain from the fullness of light. In His dying He destroyed our death: by His wounds He heals our wounds: by His lying in the tomb He has visited all our private tombs.

We descend into the tomb of darkness whenever the reality of life is too painful for us to endure. The quality of our living is diminished, we are emotionally crippled and mentally stagnated.

Is your cave of darkness due to the pain of bereavement? Then reflect on the fullness of life released for us by the victory of Jesus. And remember how He experienced the pain of family farewell as His mother’s heart was pierced by the sword of sorrow.

Is your dark cave is due to experiences of misunderstanding, misrepresentation, or malicious conspiracy, just remember that Jesus was in there before you. He was the victim of religious envy, a political pawn and He was betrayed by one who had shared the covenant meal with Him.

His suffering was a physical nature in the hundred inventions of cruelty unleashed upon Him: He suffered intense mental anguish: and He even visited the dark realm of spiritual suffering.

He was condemned in court to hang with convicted criminals, mocked in ungrateful tribute to His works of healing, and stripped bare of the very garments of human dignity. Is there any form of private hell He did not visit?

Whatever your tomb, your hiding place, your private hell, come out of it this Easter day. In the light and power of the risen Christ, leave behind you an empty tomb.

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, what a beautiful life you have given me! Let me sing of the glorious hope that comes from your resurrection. And, by the power of Your resurrection, I have left behind my empty tomb. With each day – but especially today – make my joy a gift to you, a grateful acknowledgement of the love You have for me. Amen.

Note: Taken [except for the prayer] from Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFMCap., The Good News of Matthew’s Year, Dublin, Ireland: Cathedral Books/The Columbia Press, 1989 (1992 reprinting), pages 81-84.