The Empty Tomb

 

The Empty Tomb
linocut Easter card by Teresa Newham

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." 

Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb.
They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first;
and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there,
but he did not go in. 

John 20 : 2 - 5

As Easter approaches, I find myself musing on the rollercoaster of emotions the experience of Christ's Passion, death and resurrection must have had on His disciples and followers.  They have seen Him arrested, beaten and scourged, and crucified; Peter has three times denied that he ever knew Him.  Mary Magdalene and John (the disciple who Jesus loved) have stood at the foot of the cross as He died, and Mary has just discovered that His body is no longer in the tomb where it was laid to rest.

Sometimes we wonder why the disciples didn't understand instantly that Jesus had risen from the dead; after all, He had been trying to tell them that this would happen for some time.  But this is something completely new to them, and its full meaning is just beginning to dawn on the disciples as the sun rises on the empty tomb.

This Easter, unlike last year, many of us are able to attend Mass in person and meet up with friends and family, albeit with restrictions. Whatever your current circumstances, I hope and pray that all of us, too, are beginning to experience a new dawn.

Wishing you and yours every blessing at Easter.