The Tomb is Empty

Justice and the Prophets

God Promises a Just Kingdom
Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5) 

 

Resurrection Hope

Mark 16:1-8 New International Version

Jesus Has Risen

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb, and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”
But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus, the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”
8 Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone because they were afraid.[a]
 

For Reflection

Some folks focus on the birth and life of Jesus. Some concentrate their faith on the Passion. While others, anchor their faith in the resurrection. I confess that I am one of the latter. Perhaps it is because I am far closer to death than I am to birth that my attention has been turning to the resurrection. We read that death has been defeated. But it is hard to accept the loss of those we know and love.

One of the most comforting words that I have read over the past few weeks is that life cannot end.  Our bodies, made from dust, will return to dust. But the life that God breathed into us cannot die.  Life is life, whether in this world or the next.

The resurrection that we will celebrate next Sunday has shown us not only that physical death is not the end of life; it also has shown us that our lives that have been dead to God's will, shall also be resurrected into the life God has intended for us all. All we have to do is realize that we need not negotiate the ebb and flow of life alone.  We need not take on the world on by ourselves. Indeed, there may be no such thing as self-sufficiency.  It may just be an illusion. 

Pray

Pray prayers of praise and thanksgiving for the love God has shown to us.  Give thanks to the God of Love for all those that sacrifice themselves for the common good.