When
evening fell on the Sabbath,
Mary Magdalen and Mary, the
mother of James, and Salome
bought spices that, going,
they might anoint the dead
body of Jesus. Very early on
the following day, when the
sun has already risen, they
come to the sepulcher (Mark
16:1-2). And upon entering
they are dismayed, for they do
not find the body of Our Lord.
A youth, clothed in white,
says to them: Fear not. I know
that you seek Jesus of
Nazareth:
non
est hic, surrexit enim sicut
dixit, He is not
here, for He has risen, as He
said (Mt. 28:5).
He has risen! Jesus has risen.
He is not in the sepulcher.
Life has overcome death.
He appeared to His most Holy
Mother. He appeared to Mary of
Magdala, who is carried away
with love. And to Peter and
the rest of the Apostles. And
to you and me, who are His
disciples and more in love
than Magdalen: the things we
say to Him!
May we never die through sin;
may our spiritual resurrection
be eternal. And before this
decade is over, you have
kissed the wounds on His
feet..., and I, more daring
because I am more a child,
have placed my lips upon His
open side.
"Christ is alive." This is the
great truth which fills our
faith with meaning. Jesus, who
died on the cross, has risen.
He has triumphed over death;
he has overcome sorrow,
anguish and the power of
darkness. "Do not be
terrified" was how the angels
greeted the women who came to
the tomb. "Do not be
terrified. You are looking for
Jesus of Nazareth, who was
crucified. He has risen; he is
not here."
(Christ Is Passing By 102, 1)
The Lord's triumph, on the day
of the Resurrection, is final.
Where are the soldiers the
rulers posted there? Where are
the seals that were fixed to
the stone of the tomb? Where
are those who condemned the
Master? Where are those who
crucified Jesus? He is
victorious, and faced with his
victory those poor wretches
have all taken flight.
