Dear Sisters,
God's glory goes out throughout the world this Easter and I send you my love. The meditation below has each of our first name initials instead of our usual monikers as I wished the images to flow.
Upon entering the church for the Easter Vigil, I had the giddy joy of a child about to pounce on presents at Christmas. My mind wandered to Jerusalem and the empty tomb. I could see all of us running toward the tomb. A unfettered kind of joy was bubbling up as we sprinted with young legs over the cobbled and uneven pavements of the narrow Jerusalem streets. Our path was filled with expectation even though we KNEW the tomb was empty. How different our effervescent joy compared to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary as they made their way to the tomb on Easter morning. They were hoping to anoint the Lord's body with the oils and herbs of death. Their hearts were heavy and they were hollowed out from crying.
The images playing out in my head were ones of childish laughter, giggly chatter and all bright happiness. I passed K as she ran towards the tomb. Up ahead, E was being led by a little angel, her granddaughter. She looked back at E eyes twinkling and laughing, tugging her hand and urging her to move faster. I caught up to M who beamed a smile as I grabbed her hand. T and S came from adjoining side roads and joined our little, joyous parade. B and J were already standing in front of the opening to the tomb. Both looked back and stretched out their arms to the rest of us. We stood side by side arms embraced as we took in the the head cloth, rolled and off to the side and the shroud flat on the stone.
He did it! He conquered death! He said he would, but right here, in front of the open tomb we understood that death would not hold us either. Death had died. Jesus, our Lord, our Love, our Joy had broken the chains that death had on our souls and we were now free to soar into heaven.
I basked in your company as I gazed at the empty tomb.
Jesus our King will reign forever!!!
A blessed Easter to you all...
Love,
V
