On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, "They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they put him." So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead. John 20: 1-9.

In the gospel we share the story of the witnesses of those women who came to the empty tomb of the risen Jesus on the first day of the week. Mary Magdalene, filled with love for Christ, went to the tomb very early when it was still dark. She found the stone rolled away. Note how she reacted. Like the Samaritan women in John 2, she reacted very quickly by running back to inform Peter and the other disciple.

She further said to Peter and others, “they have taken the Lord from the tomb and we don’t know where they have put him.” She initially thought that the body was stolen, but ironically setting the stage for faith. Notice also the reaction of Peter. “Peter and the other disciple also ran to the tomb. Lots of running! Quite unlike Peter who was initially running away from the “ugly” trial scene. The transformed Peter is now running to the triumphal scene of the Resurrection. Though the Beloved Disciple is the first to arrive Peter is the first to embrace the burial cloth in the empty tomb. With this cloth they came to believe that Christ had actually risen to die no more. So much to learn from Christ’s disciples, beginning with Mary Magdalene! I think Mary Magdalene could be seen as a disciple who not only genuinely loved and searched for Jesus, but was attached to Jesus. Remember he is the truth, the life, the way, the bread of life and the source of eternal salvation. Like Mary we are called not only to believe but to bear witnesses to our faith where ever we find ourselves each day. Peter had once stumbled but he made it to sainthood, Saint Peter!

That you are sick today does not mean that you cannot get well tomorrow. That you have been laid off from a particular job does not mean that all labor doors are closed against you. That you have once in your life doubted the Resurrection or any aspect of our faith or stumble, like Peter, does not mean you cannot turn things around.

That there have been war and misunderstanding in the past does not mean that we cannot work for peace and reconciliation today and for the future! That there is war in Middle East and Ukraine today does not mean that the party cannot search for a common ground of peace! That many had no health insurance and job in the past does not mean that things cannot be turned around in the future. That a student got a poor grade last semester does not mean a better grade cannot be worked for, in the future. There is always room for improvement and for joy, which Christ’s resurrection reminds us.

As we rejoice at this Easter may our faith be strengthened by the transforming power of Christ's Resurrection and be reassured that suffering, illness, violence, wars, failures and even death are never our destinations nor desires. Rather, our destinations and desires are good health, success, peace, reconciliation, joy of Easter and eternal life in Christ Jesus.

My Dear Friends in Christ!

I wish you, and the risen and living Jesus gives you a truly Happy Easter!