1 Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been taken away from the entrance. 2 She went running 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 have put him!” 3 Then Peter and the other disciple went to the tomb. 4 The two of them were running, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and saw the linen wrappings, but he did not go in. 6 Behind him came Simon Peter, and he went straight into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there 7 and the cloth which had been round Jesus’s head. It was not lying with the linen wrappings but was rolled up by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in; he saw and believed. 9 (They still did not understand the scripture which said that he must rise from death.)
This is a compelling narrative: Jesus’s body has disappeared. Mary Magdalene makes the discovery. You can read about her encounter with Jesus in the verses following today’s reading.
So this passage focuses mainly on the two disciples: Peter and another whom tradition identifies as the Apostle John.
The narrator tells us that John believes as soon as he sees the abandoned linen and the cloth which covered Jesus’s head in the grave. What caused John to believe Jesus is alive? Some authors think it was the folding of the grave clothes in a particular style – Jesus’s style, one that John recognised. Whoever had done this was not dead but alive. Surely this must be Jesus. This was John’s first encounter with the risen Christ.
Did John share his belief with Peter? We don’t know. All we are told is that the disciples still did not understand the Scriptures which said he must rise from the dead. But this would soon change.
Mary Magdalene, Peter, John and the other disciples meet the risen Christ face to face in the verses following today’s reading in John’s account.
The eyewitness accounts of these disciples are fundamental to the faith of Christians. They knew Jesus died on the Cross. They knew precisely where he was buried and they each met the risen Christ. These encounters with the risen Jesus confirmed their faith in the truth of the Scriptures, because they knew what was said and prophesied was the true word of God.
MEDITATIO
Imagine what thoughts and emotions Mary Magdalene might have had when she discovered the empty tomb. Consider the full significance of Jesus being raised from the dead. Why is it essential to Christian faith?
How would you explain the significance of the events of Easter to a friend?
ORATIO
Over this next week pray these three verses from Psalm 118. Verse 24: “This is the day of the Lord’s victory; let us be happy, let us celebrate!” Verse 22: “The stone which the builders rejected as worthless turned out to be the most important of all.” Verse 1: “Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good, and his love is eternal.” Listen for the Lord to say something more to you and take the opportunity to give him thanks in your own words.
CONTEMPLATIO
Today’s first reading, Acts 10: 34, 37-43, continues the theme of being witnesses.
Peter now boldly proclaims that God raised Jesus from the dead. He preaches the Gospel so that people can have their sins forgiven by believing in Jesus.
In Colossians 3:1-4 we read how in Christ we have experienced our own “resurrection” into a new spiritual life. So we should live in the light of eternal values rather than temporary earthly concerns.
Lectio Divina is an ancient tradition of reading and engaging with God’s Word
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