the e-Testament
John 20: 1 - 9
Early in the morning on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone was moved away from the entrance. She ran at once to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, breathlessly panting, “They took the Master from the tomb. We don’t know where they’ve put him.”
Peter and the other disciple left immediately for the tomb. They ran, neck and neck. The other disciple got to the tomb first, outrunning Peter. Stooping to look in, he saw the pieces of linen cloth lying there, but he didn’t go in.
Simon Peter arrived after him, entered the tomb, observed the linen cloths lying there, and the kerchief used to cover his head not lying with the linen cloths but separate, neatly folded by itself.
Then the other disciple, the one who had got there first, went into the tomb, took one look at the evidence, and believed.
No one yet knew from the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead. The disciples then went back home.
Prayer
Lord,
We thank you for giving your one and only Son to us, so that we may live free from sin.
Help us to use the strength of your love to continue to spread your word.
Let us celebrate in your love for us, and be merciful to all those around us, in our year of Mercy.
Alleluia,
Amen.
Reflection
Alleluia! He is Risen!
Our celebration has begun! We have made our way through Lent and avoided the temptation. We have walked the way of Jesus through his crucifixtion on Good Friday, mourned his passing on Easter Saturday and celebrated his rising through the Easter Vigil.
Before I went to University, I used to go to the Easter Retreat at Savio House and have started to go back to these events more recently. One of the retreat highlights is our vigil service because it is always a great celebration of the joy at the Resurrection of Jesus. There’s typically, lots of music and singing and there’s always plenty to smile about. After the service we have a small party with hot chocolate and sweets before a small sleep and a very early rise to greet the dawn, in the same way that Mary Magdalene did on the first day of the week. This year the early rise coincides with daylight savings time, which is something Mary Magdalene didn’t have to worry about, but we will enjoy the challenge of a late finish and an early start.
We have followed the apostles through the vigil and walked with them through their pain and grief. However now, we join with them as they begin to celebrate that Jesus, the Son of God, has returned!
Jonny Dearden
Salesian Volunteer