Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord (ABC)

April 1, 2018

Readings:

First Reading; Acts of the Apostles 10: 34a, 37-43

Psalm: 118

Second Reading: Colossians 3: 1-4 (or 1 Corinthians 5: 6b-8)

Gospel reading according to John (20: 1-9)

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Homily:  The Resurrection of Jesus and the Empty Tomb 

Early in the morning after Sabbath, without seeing yet the dawn, we can see Mary Magdalene in a hurry.  She was alone.  She was going to the tomb where Jesus was buried.  We do not know her purpose in going there while it was still dark and she’s all alone.  Maybe her companions were still searching for spices to be used in anointing the dead body of Jesus, while she came early in the tomb.  She cannot wait any longer.  She wanted to see the dead body of Jesus, maybe to clean it while waiting for the spices bought and brought in by the other women companions.  “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).  Suddenly, she stopped for she noticed the stone cover of the tomb was removed. 

Something happened which she cannot explained.  So she decided to report the incident to Jesus’ disciples – Simon Peter and the beloved disciple, John. “So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to 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’.” (John 20: 2), while at that moment they were hiding from the authorities, for they were afraid that they might be arrested as they did to their Leader and Master.  

But when they heard the news that somebody took the body of Jesus and hid it away, their fear of arrest was gone but instead it was replaced of courage.  So, they came out from hiding and went to the place where Jesus was buried.  “So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb” (John 20: 3).

As if in marathon, they made a race.  While running, maybe they were laughing or crying, rejoicing or nervous, with mixed feelings covering their whole beings.  “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” (John 20: 4-5).  Because John is younger and stronger than Simon Peter, he reached first the tomb; he looked from the outside but did not go inside.  He just waited until the coming of Peter, and when Peter entered the tomb, that’s the time John entered, as a sign of respect for the leadership of Peter.  “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” (John 20: 6-7).  What they saw was only the burial cloths and the cloth that covered his head rolled up and in a separated 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” (John 20: 8-9).  This time, they understood the Scriptures and they believed to what Jesus said to them while he was still with them.  The Lord is truly resurrected and raised from the dead for our sake and salvation.  And now he lives forever until the end of time.