Gospel – John 20: 1-9

On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning,
while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb.
So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,
“They have taken the Lord from the tomb and we don’t know where they put him.”
So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.
They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first;
he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.
When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.
Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead.

Reflection on the Gospel

Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.

This is it!  This is the day for which we have been waiting since Ash Wednesday.  It’s kind of easy to believe in the message of Ash Wednesday.  We are dust and we shall return to dust.  We see evidence of death all around us.  Oddly enough, there have been Christians who said that Jesus did not really die on the cross and so the resurrection is debatable.  Now comes the challenge: I believe in Easter and the mystery of the Resurrection of Jesus.
Some of the disciples did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead.  Although I don’t understand it, I delight in it.  On those days when I question the idea of heaven, my mind and heart can rest gently in the remembrance of the resurrection of Jesus and of his promise that where he is going, there is a place for me.

Reflection Questions

When do you find it easier to believe more in Ash Wednesday than in Easter?
Are there faith items that challenge you?
Examine them in the bright light of the Resurrection of Jesus and see how they look now.

Brother Charles Nuzzo, F.S.C.
Associate Director of Communications
District of Eastern North America (RELAN)

Saint John Baptist de La Salle – Pray for us.
Live, Jesus, in our hearts – Forever.