Where Is He?

Note:  Am writing from my rehab bed...not sure how consistent I will be, but it's good to be back. Alleluia!

John 20: 1-9

The Empty Tomb

20 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. ² So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

³ So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. ⁴ Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. ⁵ He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. ⁶ Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, ⁷ as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. ⁸ Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. ⁹ (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)

Can we fully appreciate the consternation and confusion over the empty tomb?  Not your average Sunday morning discovery!  We take Easter so much for granted, but we might take time to visit the tomb with Peter and John and somewhat experience the surprise of seeing the stone rolled back and the linen cloths lying about inside. As we prayed and fasted during Lent, my we dwell on the fulfillment of the resurrection, signified by the Empty Tomb...He is alive and with us, calling us to be with him now and for eternity.  Truly a day, a lifetime to rejoice!

Bro. Rene

 
Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life. Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord's resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

  Easter Mass Preface