By Pat Haggerty

When I think of Easter, the image of the empty tomb comes to mind.  We’ve all seen pictures of the empty tomb, the stone rolled over, and the burial cloths left behind.  What an image!   It conjures up so much!  It leads us to the eventual image of Christ rising from the dead, of his glorious emergence from the darkness of the tomb bringing us to the light of salvation.

Easter Sunday’s gospel tells us that when the disciples went to the tomb after the urging of Mary of Magdala, they found that emptiness.  John goes on to tell us that “they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead.” (John 20:8)

Christ’s resurrection from the dead became our key to salvation and new life.  Christ suffered, died and rose from the dead in order to win us our salvation.  We are often called “resurrection people” because everything that we are centers on this significant event.  Alleluia!  Alleluia!

There is so much to digest as we move from Holy Week to Easter Sunday.  We travel the way with the Lord as he shares a meal with his disciples and as he bears his cross and is nailed to it.  The enormity of Christ’s sacrifice is almost incomprehensible!  We know from the joy of the resurrection that Christ won a victory for us and opened to us the gates of heaven.  The stone at the empty tomb remains a cornerstone for us as is indicated in Psalm 118:

“The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.  This is the work of the Lord, a marvel in our eyes.  This day was made by the Lord; we rejoice and are glad.”

Let us exult in the Lord on Easter Sunday---and always.  Let us keep in mind the image of the empty tomb.  It reminds us that sometimes what appears to be empty is really full.  Through the empty tomb we are granted fullness of life.  Often, in our own emptiness, we can find Christ, knowing that He is all we need.  “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; for his love endures forever.” (Psalm 118:29)