Posted by Paul Edwards (Fr. Paul) on Mar 29, 2012 | Comments (0)


Easter Day: The Lord Is Risen Indeed!

An empty tomb is not enough evidence for Rational Thinking to believe in the resurrection. There needs to be more physical evidence. Spiritual Understanding senses what is unseen.

In John's Gospel, Mary Magdalene found the tomb empty and ran to tell the Apostles what happened. Peter and John ran to the place of burial. John was younger and beat Peter to the tomb. He reverently paused at the entrance. Peter rushed on ahead into the cave. Inside the tomb, he found the cloth that had been on Jesus' head; not lying with the linen wrappings, but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in. He saw and believed that the tomb was empty. As yet, they did not understand the scripture that He must rise from the dead. John 20:9.

The early proof of the resurrection comes in Mark's Gospel in Mark 16:1. When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint the body. This was the responsibility of the women in the family along with close friends. The proof of the resurrection is in who was not there. Look at the women coming and who is not there! It was Mary the mother of Jesus. Why was she not there? It was because she spiritually understood who He was and believed the scripture.

The belief happened at the start of Jesus ministry in John's Gospel, chapter two.  Jesus had just called his disciples together. He is about to start His ministry. His mother says. "Where are you going?" He replies, "My hour has come. I am starting on my mission."  Mary sternly responds "Not until you take me to the wedding. You are the oldest and it is your responsibility." "Aw Gee, Mom! What am I to do with my disciples?" "Take them with you."

At the feast, the disciples did not know each other or anyone in the wedding party. They got together and bonded around the bar. Mary came to Jesus and sternly said. "They have no wine!" "Woman what does your concern have to do with me."  Then He sarcastically added, "My hour has not yet come," just to goad her. "It has to do with you because it was your friends that drank up all the wine!" Then she said to the servants. "Do what He tells you to do." Jesus fills the six water jars full of water and changes the water into 180 gallons of pure wine. The Master of the Feast was impressed that they saved the best wine for last. John writes, "What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which He manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him." John 2:11

His first miracle was really one for His Mother. Mary became a believer from that day on. Why now should she go to the tomb with the other women? They would not understand the scripture, but she knew full well. No need to go. The tomb was empty. The Lord had risen.

Our greatest evidence today of the resurrection is the Church which is the risen Body of Christ.


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