He is Risen!
Mary Magdalene finds the empty tomb and runs to the apostles to tell them her astonishing news. According to John, the apostles personally found the tomb empty, with neither Jesus nor any messenger present to explain its meaning.
The Beloved Disciple arrived with Peter, in time to see the discarded burial-cloths within the tomb, and at once realised what it meant: that Jesus was risen from the dead.
The resurrection is a deeply mysterious truth, but we cannot quite experience its original impact in the hearts of his followers. This gospel, this great news, spans the centuries and is still a living force for here and now. In a sense, you and I are reflected in elements of that story, and may place ourselves within the account given by St John today.
Am I like Magdalene, announcing the news of resurrection? Or like the apostles who respond immediately by running off to the tomb to see for themselves? On Easter morning, the stone was rolled back from the mouth of the tomb. Is my heart be like a tomb awaiting resurrection? Can I identify any “gravestone” that is holding me back from a fuller, freer life?
It could be an addiction, a compulsion or some dark secret I have never shared with anyone. We can be sickened by our secrets. But as Pope Francis said, we are meant to be “people of joyful hope, not doomsday prophets!” By trusting in the resurrection of Jesus, we can all find hope and joy, and go out to share them with others. I hope and pray that this Easter all may find Joy and I extend my Easter blessings to you and your Families during these great day of Easter Joy and Hope.
Fr. Mark Franklin
