Easter Faith

Easter Sunday  (B) –

April 8, 2012: John 20: 1-9     “Then the disciple who arrived first at the tomb went in.

                                                        He saw and he believed!”

            Because of the Sabbath, it was very early on Sunday morning that Mary Magdalene went to the tomb. When she arrived she was amazed and shocked to find the stone removed. This was a situation Mary felt she could not face herself. So she returned to the city to look for Peter and John. Mary, we realize, is the supreme example of one who went on loving and believing even when she could not understand and this is the love and the belief which in the end finds glory. So, then, it was to Peter and John that Mary went and they immediately set out for the tomb. They went running and the younger John outstripped Peter in this breathless race. With typical impulsiveness, Peter not only looked in, but went in, For the moment, Peter was only amazed at the empty tomb; but things began to happen in John’s mind. If tomb robbers were at work, why should they leave the grave clothes? Then something else struck John – the grave clothes were neither disheveled nor disarranged. They were lying there still in their folds. This sight suddenly penetrated to John’s mind. John realized what had happened--- and John believed! It was what John saw with his own eyes that convinced him that Jesus had risen!

            John was the first instance of what we call “Easter faith”. What John believed and what we celebrate today is the same reality – CHRIST IS RISEN! The empty tomb is the proof that Jesus has conquered both sin and death.

            On this glorious feast day, we give thanks to the Lord and we now confidently pray: “GOD OUR FATHER. WE PRAY THAT THE JOY OF THIS EASTER DAY MAY PENETRATE OUR MINDS AND HEARTS AND BRING US CLOSER TO YOU. WE ASK THIS IN THE NAME OF JESUS, THE RISEN LORD. AMEN.”