He is Risen!

March 23 Easter Sunday

Readings: Acts 10:34, 37-43; Col 3:1-4 or 1 Cor 5:6-8; Jn 20:1-9 or Lk 24:1-12 or at an afternoon or evening Mass Lk 24:13-35

"Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here, but He has been raised." Lk 24: 5-6

"We are so familiar with the accounts of the Resurrection that it is difficult for us to capture any sense of the total astonishment of the first witnesses," says Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR. "To begin with, there are no adequate words to describe what had never occurred before to human beings. We are plunged into the deepest mystery. We can understand the words, but we cannot totally fathom their inner meaning.

"Perhaps it may give us some sense of the mystery to say that for the first time since the material creation began, there is a complex living organism, a human body and mind, that will never end and never know death again," Fr. Benedict continues.

"Time and eternity, both mysterious, have come together in a thing of time, a living human body, which will never perish or cease living or even cease breathing. This must be at least part of His meaning when Jesus of Nazareth says, 'I am the life.'"

This commentary sheds light on the utter amazement of the women in Luke's account. At the tomb, they do not find the body of Jesus and "are terrified and [bow] their faces to the ground" when "two men in dazzling garments [appear]" (vv.4-5). Perhaps they are even more astonished at the message that the heavenly visitors bring, "He is not here, but He has been raised" (v. 6).

As you meditate on this Resurrection account, put yourself in the scene. You are at the tomb. What is your reaction when you encounter the "two men in dazzling garments"? What are your feelings when you leave the tomb and share the good news of the Resurrection "to the eleven and to all the others"(v.9)?

I believe, Lord Jesus, that You are the Resurrection and the Life. Death could not hold You bound. You went forth from the tomb in victory. Alleluia! Amen.

Scripture
Mt 17:22
Mt 28:2-7
Jn 11:25

Catechism
640, 646

Diary of St. Faustina
83, 1273
agGB

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