Daily Readings - Sun Apr 04 2021
John
1Then on the first Sabbath, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and she saw that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb2Therefore, she ran and went to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and she said to them, "They have taken the Lord away from the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.3Therefore, Peter departed with the other disciple, and they went to the tomb4Now they both ran together, but the other disciple ran more quickly, ahead of Peter, and so he arrived at the tomb first5And when he bowed down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not yet enter6Then Simon Peter arrived, following him, and he entered the tomb, and he saw the linen cloths lying there7and the separate cloth which had been over his head, not placed with the linen cloths, but in a separate place, wrapped up by itself8Then the other disciple, who had arrived first at the tomb, also entered. And he saw and believed9For as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that it was necessary for him to rise again from the dead
Sermon
In today’s Gospel, we witness the dramatic discovery of the empty tomb on that first Easter morning. Mary Magdalene, filled with grief and urgency, notices that the stone has been rolled away. She rushes to inform Peter and the other disciple, whom Jesus loved. Their hurried journey to the tomb, with the other disciple reaching it first, sets the stage for a moment of profound faith. Upon entering the tomb, the disciple sees the neatly arranged linens and the separate cloth that had covered Jesus’ head. In that moment, he believes, even though he and Peter do not yet fully understand the Scriptures that foretold of Jesus’ resurrection.
This passage invites us to reflect on the interplay between doubt and faith. Mary’s initial alarm and the disciples’ haste reveal the confusion and uncertainty that often accompany moments of crisis. Yet, in the stillness of the tomb, the other disciple’s eyes are opened to the truth. The carefully placed linens and the separate cloth suggest an orderly and intentional act, not the chaotic aftermath of grave robbers. This detail speaks to the divine order of God’s plan, even when circumstances seem chaotic or unclear.
As we apply this to our daily lives, we are reminded that faith often begins in the midst of uncertainty. Like Mary and the disciples, we may encounter moments where the path ahead is shrouded in darkness. But it is precisely in these moments that we are called to trust in God’s plan, even when we do not fully understand it. The empty tomb is not just a historical event; it is a symbol of the hope that lies at the heart of our faith. Let us, like the other disciple, allow ourselves to see and believe, even when the road ahead seems uncertain. In doing so, we may discover that what initially seems like an ending is, in fact, a new beginning.