by Msgr. Joseph Calise
In the time of Christ, burial traditions were quite specific. Of course, there were certain exceptions with Jesus. The Jews had heard rumors that he claimed he was going to rise again,so they wanted to make sure no one could take the body and circulate the story that he had risen. Therefore, they placed a sealed stone in front of the opening to the tomb, which would have resembled acave, to be sure there could be no foul play.
His body was wrapped without the usual preparations because it was Friday afternoon, and the Sabbath was about to begin. Ordinarily, the body would have been washed, perfumed, and wrapped and then placed in the tomb. Loved ones would visit for three days because they believed the spirit of the person lingered for three days and then departed, allowing the process of decomposition to begin. Mary Magdalene loved Jesus and knew he loved her. She must have been terribly upset that she could not visit the tomb on Saturday because of the Sabbath laws, so, as Scripture says, she went to the tomb early in the morning on Sunday, while it was still dark.
She was anxious — she wanted to anoint his body but also had to figure out some way to remove the stone. She knew she was not in for an easy morning, but she loved him and was going to accomplish her mission. Then she arrives at the tomb, sees the stone rolled away, and knows his body is not there. She goes to Peter, already respected as first among the apostles, and to John, the beloved who had a special place in Jesus’ heart, to inform them of her confusing discovery. They run to the tomb. John, being younger than Peter, gets there first.
The two who were known to be loved by Jesus, Mary Magdalen and John, were the first to arrive at the tomb after the resurrection. Yet neither goes in immediately. John waits for Peter and defers to his role among the apostles. Peter enters the tomb — followed quickly by John. They see only the burial clothes. They were simply there with the cloth that covered his face rolled up in a separate place. There was no foul play.
Whatever happened, Jesus was in control. The Scriptures say simply that John “saw and believed.” With this vision of the empty tomb, John knew that Jesus was not gone but would always be with him. As we wish one another a Happy Easter, may it be a wish for that same faith. May we too “see and believe” that Jesus, risen from the dead, lives among us and gives us the grace we need to follow him through this life to our own resurrection.
Readings for the Resurrection of the Lord
The Mass of Easter Day
Acts 10:34a, 37-43
Colossians 3:1-4 or
1 Corinthians 5:6b-8
John 20:1-9
Msgr. Joseph P. Calise is the pastor of Transfiguration-St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in Maspeth.