John 20:1-18
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. 15Jesus 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.
"I don't know where they have laid him!"
Friday was a decisive day in Jesus’ life and ministry. It also was for His disciples and friends who all expected to see "their king" defeat the Roman army and restore the Kingdom to Israel.
Instead, the man was crucified and, like ordinary humans, died and was buried. Was He another deceiving Messiah?
Early Sunday morning, according to their customs, a few women carrying some fragrances went to the guarded tomb looking for the body of a dead young man. But there began the surprise for all humans.
Let us read the text carefully and give ourselves a few minutes of deep reflection to realize what it means for us today—
Accompany Christ since Maundy Thursday with the institution of the Eucharist and the foot washing. He was captured at the Gethsemane garden, tried and condemned to death by the Jewish Sanhedrin for claiming to be the "Son of God.” The Roman authority reiterates the verdict accusing Him of being the "King of the Jews.” He is crucified and buried.
He has foretold to His disciples that He will rise from the dead on the third day. They were able to realize what He was saying about himself.
Why do we visit the tomb?
Are we looking for the dead Jesus whose story came to an end with his death? Are we looking for a body without "knowing where they have laid him," just a body without life?
Are we attentive to the voice telling us "He is not in the tomb!" Do we believe it? If not, we are the tomb where we would like to bury Jesus, but at the same time, “He will not be there!” We remain empty of real life.
May we pray for the Renewal of our Faith, Hope and Charity as we celebrate the Resurrection.
May we rejoice peacefully in the Risen Lord!
Alleluia, Christ is Risen indeed, Alleluia!