O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY?

EASTER SUNDAY - John 20:1-9

John stresses that the disciples recognised Jesus’ resurrection “on the first day of the week”. Other proclamations of faith speak that Jesus “was raised on the third day” (1 Co 15:4; Act 10:40). The first day of the week is the first day of a new beginning. The resurrection of Jesus marks a new creation or a new world order built upon a new covenant - a covenant sealed with the blood of Jesus Christ, shed for the remission of sins. This new beginning came as a surprise, even for the closest of the disciples. 

Early in the morning, while “still dark”, Mary of Magdala went to the tomb. For us, it sounds a bit strange. Why did she go to the tomb? Was she alone or with others? Jesus had been buried in a hurry, leaving no time for all the funeral rites. Maybe she wanted to pay her last respect to Jesus. How was she going to do that, since a heavy stone had been rolled to the entrance of the tomb? We may remember that it was a tradition by then to visit the tombs of the prophets. Arriving at the tomb, Mary had a big chock: “She saw that the stone had been moved away from the tomb”. Who would do such a thing? Tomb robberies were common by then. Or were the enemies who wanted to dispose of the body of Jesus? In no way did she think that Jesus had risen from the dead. Indeed, “Till this moment they had failed to understand the teaching of scripture, that he must rise from the dead.” Thus, in big alarm, she run to inform Peter and the beloved disciple that the Lord was taken out of the tomb. Immediately, they ran to the tomb to verify the veracity of Mary’s information. The tomb was empty, and that was verified by three qualified witnesses.

Mary of Magdala, Simon Peter and the beloved disciple represent the new community, born of the ministry of Jesus, but a community confronted with Jesus’ death and then with an empty tomb. They are at a loss, scared and alarmed. Despite Jesus’ announcement that he would rise from the dead, his real resurrection was beyond their dreams and expectations. Peter and the other disciple run to the tomb and, when they went in, they found no signs of robbery. Everything was in perfect order: They “saw the linen cloths on the ground, and also the cloth that had been over his head; this was not with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself.” As soon as the beloved disciple saw that, he understood and believed. That harmony was a clear sign of Jesus’ victory over death. And we may sing with St, Paul:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”

“O death, where is your victory?

O death, where is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, 

and the power of sin is the law. 

But thanks be to God, 

who gives us the victory 

through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Co 15:54-57)

May the Risen Christ fill all of you with his blessings.