Alleluia, Alleluia
Today’s Readings: Acts 10:34a, 37–43; Psalm 118:1–2, 16–17, 22–23; Colossians 3:1–4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6b–8; John 20:1–9 or Luke 24:1–12 or Luke 24:13–35 (afternoon or evening). The Lord is risen! Alleluia! With the women and other disciples, we rejoice at the empty tomb as we enter into the great paschal feast of Easter. In Luke’s account of the Resurrection, the women did not waste time in spreading the Good News after encountering the men in dazzling garments. What could the women have been thinking as they rushed to tell the others of the empty tomb? And what could Peter have thought as he rushed to the tomb?
The Gospel notes that the women were terrified upon seeing the men at the tomb but then remembered Jesus’ words. Peter was amazed when he arrived at the tomb. All must have wondered what this meant for them. The discovery of the empty tomb does not offer Jesus’ followers an immediate response of joy. They had to grow in their understanding of the Resurrection.
Let us remember that when we find ourselves in moments of fear or confusion, like those who first reached the garden tomb, we can return to the Word of God in the Bible to offer us an understanding of the identity of the Risen Lord and a better understanding of ourselves in relationship with him.
© 2019 Liturgy Training Publications. 800-933-1800. Written by Mary Heinrich. Permission to publish granted by the Archdiocese of Chicago, on August 28, 2018.