John 20, 1-9:
Sunday, 17 April 2022 (1st Easter Resurrection Sunday)
It is the first day of the week. Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb at dawn, while it is still dark. She wants to anoint the body of Jesus with ointment. When she arrives, she finds that the tombstone is open and the body of the Lord is not there. She ran to tell Peter and the others. And they run back to check what Mary Magdalene tells them. And so it is, the Lord is not there, only the bandages and the shroud remain. Then they begin to realise what he was telling them when he was with them: that he was going to rise from the dead.
He saw and believed. He has only seen the empty tomb, but there is still no appearance of the Risen One. This is the beginning of Easter faith, without apparitions. After a first moment of uncertainty, of desires for verification, comes the understanding and acceptance of the Lord’s promise: He is risen! Filled with joy, they begin to give substance to their hope. The Word is fulfilled.
Blessed are those who believe without having seen! May the joy of those who discovered the empty tomb be for us a reason for hope. May our hearts share our faith in the Word of the Risen One, and may we look forward to our personal encounter with the One who lives forever.
Happy Easter!
Juan Ramón Gómez Pascual, cmf
May the joy of those who discovered the empty tomb be for us a motive of hope
