April 12, 2020: Easter Sunday

Reading: 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 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:

The retelling of the events in today’s gospel story gives us a look at what Pope Benedict XVI calls a “cosmic event, linking heaven and earth.”

What a powerful statement and sense of celebration.
All humankind was set free. Death had no power; the chains were forever broken!
The resurrection unites us with God and with others.
As resurrected people, we are continually called to the challenges of living our lives as Jesus taught us. We further this mission gifted to us by sharing ourselves with love, compassion and understanding.

Action:

Happy Easter!
How are you being called to celebrate your life today and during this next week? Be specific in determining what action you might take.