By Pat Haggerty

“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.” (John 20:1) Such a discovery!  The stone had been moved and where was the Lord?

There are so many depictions of this scene that can cause us to reflect and wonder on the joy of the resurrection.  There is a radiant light emitting from the cavernous tomb.  One can see the burial cloths left behind where Jesus lay.  The huge boulder is resting beside the opening to the tomb.  Mary of Magdala is bowed down with a sense of bewilderment and extreme sadness.  What has become of the Lord?  Who has taken him?  What does the future hold for his disciples?

It is hard to imagine one person moving the boulder covering the tomb’s opening.  Did several people come to the tomb and steal the body of the Christ?

Shortly after Mary’s discovery, she encounters the Lord, whom she believes to be the gardener.  When he speaks to her, she recognizes her teacher, her “Rabboni.” She then tells the other disciples of her amazing encounter.

This is an inspiring lesson for us.  If we but move back the stone of our evil ways, of our sinfulness, of all that separates us from God, we will find him.  It is a matter of removing the stone and opening the way for Jesus.  We can think of it as our own resurrection to new life.  With the joy of Easter we can find peace with the Lord.  We can build on what we have learned on our Lenten journey and become renewed followers of Jesus!

Reflect on what you sang in the Easter Sequence:  “Yes, Christ my hope is arisen; to Galilee he goes before you.  Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining.”

The question is---what will we do with this new life?  We must embrace it, rejoice over it, and be thankful for it.  We have been renewed by the Paschal mysteries.  Thanks be to God!  Alleluia!