When I too experience the absence of Jesus, how do I react? Where and how to find it? In the place of the dead or the giver of life? Is Christ really Lord of my life?
Father Cesar Augusto, SJ – Vatican News
“The Empty Tomb: Jesus Is Risen”
Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb. It's dawn! Maria goes to the tomb, making the environment even darker due to the absence of the sun. It is night not only in nature, but especially in the heart of Mary Magdalene. Actually, not in your heart. Love shined there. She cannot stay away from the dead body of the Lord who freed her from evil. She cannot live without Jesus!
She says she will apply it to the Lord's body, but how? A heavy stone covered the tomb, and Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea had already prepared the body.
When she arrives, the stone has been removed, but the tomb is empty! Maria feels completely lost. She runs outside to tell Pedro and Joa. She asks for help. She feels lost and powerless.
When I too experience the absence of Jesus, how do I react? Where and how to find it? In the place of the dead or the giver of life?
Is Christ really Lord of my life?
Let us continue in our prayers.
All the loved ones will have to suffer a lot!
Mary sees the empty tomb, with an angel at the head and another at the feet, but she doesn't understand anything.
When the evangelist described this image, Jesus wanted to tell us that the Father's new and eternal covenant with man.
The tomb, an open rectangular box with two angels, reminds any devotee of the Ark of the Covenant with angels on the mercy seat. A new and everlasting covenant was made!
While looking inside the tomb, Mary hears someone asking her why she is crying. Her questioner likes to say: “Woman, why are you crying?” You have no reason to cry, but rather to rejoice. Mary's tears reveal her great love and little faith.
Jesus engages in dialogue with Mary as he engages in dialogue with others. He gradually reveals himself, adapting his words and gestures to the story of these people and the concrete situations in which they find themselves.
It was only when she stopped looking at the tomb, the place of death, and turned her eyes and whole body in the opposite direction that Mary understood that the voice was Jesus' voice. Then, she sees Jesus, alive and risen!
Like Mary, we often miss Jesus because we are not looking for him alive, but rather his dead body.
Let us conclude our reflection.
As Magdalene looked everywhere for Jesus, the Risen One followed her steps, her vision. “Woman” is the first word he utters when talking to her. Then he asked why are you crying. Jesus, in his new form, comes to meet us and wants to know the reasons for our sadness. He is the comforter, He is our joy, He is our life!
Happy Easter!