He must rise from the dead

Easter Sunday Year A, 12th April 2020

Gospel John 20: 1–9

It was very early on the first day of the week and still dark, when Mary of Magdala came to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been moved away from the tomb and came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb,’ she said, ‘and we don’t know where they have put him.’

So Peter set out with the other disciple to go to the tomb. They ran together, but the other disciple, running faster than Peter, reached the tomb first; he bent down and saw the linen cloths lying on the ground, but did not go in. Simon Peter, who was following, now came up, went right into the tomb, saw the linen cloths on the ground, and also the cloth that had been over his head; this was not with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in; he saw and believed. Till this moment they had failed to understand the teaching of scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

Resurrection - He Qi

Reflection - from St Beuno's Outreach

I slowly begin my prayer by concentrating my inner a en on on the Lord’s presence in my life and being. In the deepening silence, I hand over my joys and troubles, and ask God for the grace of a spirit of gratitude and wonder.

I read the Gospel meditatively. In whatever way I can, I enter the scene, allowing the narrative to touch my imagination.

Is there something here that particularly attracts my attention?

Perhaps Mary of Magdala, her heart  filled with grief, going faithfully to attend to her Lord in the darkness ..?

Or guilt-ridden Peter, who goes right into the tomb?

Or ‘the one Jesus loved’: the disciple who sees the empty tomb and believes? I allow myself to be present with each one.

Maybe I stand here in the empty tomb. How do I feel and react now? How deep is my belief in the power of the Resurrection?

Maybe there are areas of my life where I am invited to a deeper faith?

I open my heart and soul to the Lord, speaking to him as I would to a beloved friend.

I pray for all those who are imprisoned, in self-isolation, or grieving today, and for those suffering without faith and hope in the loving God.

When I am ready, I slowly draw my prayer to a close.