Out of the darkness of the tomb, hope for eternity
Reflections on the readings for the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter (March 31, 2018): GN 1:1—2:2, PS 104:1-2,5-6,10,12,13-14,24,35, GN 22:1-18, PS 16:5,8,9-10,11, EX 14:15—15:1, EX 15:1-2,3-4,5-6,17-18, IS 54:5-14, PS 30:2,4,11-12,13, IS 55:1-11, IS 12:2-3,4,5-6, BAR 3:9-15,32;4:4, PS 19:8,9,10,11, EZ 36:16-17,18-28, PS 42:3,5;43:34, IS 12:2-3,4,5-6, PS 51:12-13,14-15,18-19, ROM 6:3-11, PS 118:1-2,16-17,22-23, MK 16:1-7
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
Of the many marvelous readings at tonight’s Easter Vigil, the heart of our celebration is, of course, the Gospel.
Here, St. Mark recounts how the disciples of Jesus discovered that He has risen from the dead. Mary Magdalene and other women went to His tomb in order to finish their task of anointing the body of their beloved Lord. They had no idea how they could move the rock at the entrance, still, in their grief and determination they went on – and found the stone rolled away. “On entering the tomb they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe, and they were utterly amazed. He said to them, ‘Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; He is not here’” (Mark 16:5-6).
“He is not here.” What did those words mean to those faithful women? They must have been shocked and confused. Yet the first bright ray of hope they had known in three days illuminated their hearts. When we experience dark times, let us open ourselves to God’s grace and will. In the promise of Christ’s Resurrection, we can seek His gracious mercy and healing peace.
Suggested missionary action: We can pray for those who do not yet know the glory of Christ crucified and risen. We can ask Him to bless missionaries and all who spread His message of salvation through word and deed.
