Gospel: John 20:1-18 or Matthew 28:1-10
1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”
3 Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. 4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, 7 and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples returned to their homes.
11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; 12 and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.”
14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.
"Christ is Risen, indeed. Alleluia!"
The Son of Man, the friend of humans who deliberately gave Himself for His friends, who suffered crucifixion, death and burial, He is risen, Christ the Lord! His Resurrection brings us victory over sin, grants us life overcoming death, bestows upon us Peace, Joy, and transforms us into witnesses for His Presence, Peaceful Love and True Life.
"Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again, rejoice!... with prayer and petition....and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4-7.
The only way to recognize the Risen Christ is to walk with Him on the way to Emmaus. Our eyes will be opened at the breaking of the Bread that He blesses and offers. Then no more fear, darkness, doubt, or arguing about His Resurrection that we celebrate in the Holy Eucharist. The Resurrection and the Eucharist form the very foundation of our Cristian Faith, Hope and Charity.
Eastern Churches used to exchange Resurrection wishes after partaking in Holy Communion, proclaiming the joy of this day, "Christ is Risen indeed, Alleluia!"
We are invited not to visit the dead body of Jesus in a tomb, but to witness the living Jesus Christ without fear. "Why are you looking for the living among the dead?" Luke 24:5. This is the day the Risen Christ says to us, "Peace be with you, as the Father sent me, even so I am sending you." John 20:21
Let the whole Church really live this Resurrection week, drawing from the Bread of Life and the life-giving water, with which she nourishes her children under every sky.
Alleluia!