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Easter: “He saw and believed.”

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TODAY’S READINGS

Today’s Gospel reading for Easter (Jn 20:1-9) gives us John’s version of the scene at Jesus’ tomb. Peter and John race to the tomb after Mary Magdalene’s witness:

“When Simon Peter arrived after him,
he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there,
and the cloth that had covered his head,
not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.
Then the other disciple also went in,
the one who had arrived at the tomb first,
and he saw and believed.” (vv. 6-8)

“The disciple whom Jesus loved followed Peter into the tomb ‘and he saw and believed.’ What did he see, and what did he believe? He saw that the body of Jesus was not in the tomb, and he saw the cloths that he had been buried in. If his mind worked quickly, he might have deduced that whatever had happened, it was not the work of robbers. But simply seeing that Jesus was no longer in the tomb and that his burial cloths had been left behind could have in itself triggered a surge of faith, a joyful conviction that Jesus had somehow triumphed over death. He did not understand yet how Jesus had done so (verse 9), but he believed with all his heart that Jesus was alive. Perhaps words of Jesus popped into his mind, words about having the power to take up his life again (10:18) or about his going ahead of them to prepare a place for them (14:2-3). Perhaps, though, his belief was not something he could easily have put into words but was nevertheless an unshakable faith that Jesus had broken the hold of death.” (Bringing the Gospel of John to Life, 551)

Or, as some speculate, John may have noted something unusual about the wrapping. There is much on the internet about the shroud but let me direct you to a podcast that I found particularly interesting (here).

Of course, no one then, or today, actually witnessed Jesus arising. I recall the words of Jesus to Thomas a little further on in this chapter:

“Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” (Jn 20:29b)

As yesterday’s post laid out, no resurrection -> faith unwarranted. But since we are blessed with so wonderful a Savior, we have hope to go along with faith if we remain in God’s love.

BP BARRON’S HOMILY

A FINAL NOTE

Happy Easter! May this holy season be especially blessed for you and your loved ones.

The Two Disciples at the Tomb (c. 1906) by Henry Ossawa Tanner

God bless.

Lent Day 46: The Crucified One is not here (or is he?)

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TODAY’S READINGS

Today’s Gospel reading for the Easter Vigil (Mark 16:1-7) gives us Mark’s version of the scene at Jesus’ tomb. An angel speaks to the women:

“You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified.
He has been raised; he is not here.” (v. 6)

“‘Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified’: the same name as written on the inscription of the cross is used by the angel to proclaim the glorious victory of the resurrection. In this way St Mark bears witness explicitly to the crucified man and the resurrected man being one and the same. Jesus’ body, which was treated so cruelly, now has immortal life.

“‘He has risen: the glorious resurrection of Jesus is the central mystery of our faith. ‘If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain (1 Cor 15:14). It is also the basis of our hope: ‘if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins…. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all men most to be pitied’ (1 Cor 15:17 and 19). The Resurrection means that Jesus has overcome death, sin, pain and the power of the devil.” (The Navarre Bible: St Mark, 197)

Catholics are sometimes accused of keeping Christ on the cross because of our displaying crucifixes. I’ve never had a problem explaining the veneration of the crucifix using the apostle Paul’s words:

For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. (1 Cor 2:2)

It seems to me a good thing to remember the brutality and ignominy Christ endured for my sake and the sake of all mankind from Adam till the end of time. Our sins do incalculable damage to the Body of Christ. It also helps us to realize that Jesus understands our suffering because He has been there.

But we also know now that suffering and death do not have the final word. Yes, there is no Easter Sunday without Good Friday. But for those faithful till the end, no amount of troubles in this life will compare to the glory the Lord won for us for the next life.

So, keep the faith. The Crucified One actually is here — and He retains the scars to prove it.

ARTICLE

An article I came across regarding Holy Saturday. The first two points are of most interest to me because they speak of what Jesus did on that first Holy Saturday when His Body was sealed in the tomb.

A FINAL NOTE

Holy Saturday is a good day to keep noise and talking to a minimum, it seems to me. Recall the silence of the tomb. I am looking forward to reading The Power of Silence which undoubtedly will be a good corrective for our noisy lives.

The Holy Women at the Tomb (1890) by William Bouguereau

God bless.