Easter Sunday

Readings of the Day

Today’s gospel is about coming to understand the Resurrection by processing what the empty tomb might mean.

The gospel starts out with Mary Magdalene coming to the tomb early in the morning while it was still dark. Mary ran to Peter and the Beloved Disciple, perhaps hoping they had an explanation. In response to Mary’s account, both disciples ran to the tomb and, upon arriving there, noted that the tomb was in fact empty. Each of the three characters reacted differently to what each one experienced and were left processing what the empty tomb might mean.

The Beloved Disciple, who arrived at the tomb first, did not enter it.  Imagine yourself, like the Beloved Disciple, standing there looking at the slab where Jesus would have been laid and noting that the burial cloths were re-wrapped and placed to the side. Would you come to the same conclusion as the Beloved Disciple, that Jesus was no longer dead, but risen?  If you are like the Beloved Disciple, there is no need to continue reading.  Your connection to the Risen Lord provides you with assurance and certainty and, therefore, you do not struggle with doubt and trust. However, most of us are not like the Beloved Disciple.

Perhaps you might be more like Peter. You arrive at the tomb a little later, maybe because you’re older or that the burden of responsibility has somewhat tempered your enthusiasm and you’re not ready to jump to the conclusion that Jesus was risen.  Yet you are determined to find out what happened, so you go in and poke around.

You might be like Mary Magdalene. Out of duty or routine, you arrive at the tomb to pray and are surprised that the rock had been removed. Rather than checking out what happened, you run to those who are “in charge” to let them know that something was out of natural order.  You want an answer from an authority to calm your anxiety of not knowing.

Mary, Peter and the Beloved Disciple had some level of disorientation and discomfort before each came to understand what it meant that Jesus was resurrected.

The Beloved Disciple needed to reflect on the neatly folded burial cloths: for him, the empty tomb was God’s way of undoing the crucifixion. 

For Mary Magdalene, who started out confused and disheartened, wondering where the body of Jesus was, came to understand that the empty tomb signified her own power. When the Risen Lord spoke to her, she no longer needed validation from an authority figure telling her where Jesus was. Instead, she proclaimed to the authority figures: “I have seen the Lord!” 

Peter needed more time to understand what the empty tomb meant.  He eventually came to know that Resurrection was not about carrying the burden of authority and having all the answers, but rather in loving and feeding the most vulnerable of the flock. 

Families in need of support, isolated seniors, those displaced by war abroad and poverty at home, children and youth in need of caring homes, returning citizens looking for a supportive community and jobs, immigrants seeking citizenship, and those recovering from crisis and disasters, arrive at the empty tomb. For them, the empty tomb is a tomb of possibility.

When we meet our clients and the communities we serve at the empty tomb, our faith-driven response is like Mary Magdalene in that we offer a vision informed by the resurrection of self-determination and confidence. We are also like Peter, in that we provide spaces where people are cared for, fed, and loved. And we are like the Beloved Disciple because we have touched the face of Christ in each one of those whom we serve.

Fr. Jon Pedigo is Director of Advocacy and Community Engagement at Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County. He serves on CCUSA's Parish Social Ministry Leadership Team.

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