Rise amazed
Easter
Opening Prayer
+ Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? I rise amazed before the victory in you, Lord Jesus Christ!
Scripture
At daybreak on the first day of the week the women who had come from Galilee with Jesus took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb; but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were puzzling over this, behold, two men in dazzling garments appeared to them…. They said to them, “Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here, but he has been raised.”
Then they returned from the tomb and announced all these things to the eleven and to all the others. The women were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. …But their story seemed like nonsense and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb, bent down, and saw the burial cloths alone; then he went home amazed at what had happened. (cf. Luke 24.1-12)
Meditation
In Luke's Gospel, the women had prepared spices to attend to the dead body of our Lord, but were surprised when the stone was rolled away and Jesus was no longer there. Peter had to see for himself and ran to the tomb, finding only the burial cloths, and was amazed. Jesus was alive!
As we reflected on this reading, we recall times in our lives when bad things happened, but unexpected good things came from it. When our daughter was in junior high, she was diagnosed with a rare heart condition, Long QT Syndrome, where the pediatric cardiologist said she could die in her sleep. The doctor wanted to send her to Mayo Clinic to see an expert in the field. In the meantime, as we were grieving the potential loss of a future with our daughter and not being able to see her through all of the milestones ahead in life, our insurance company denied the request. We were on many prayer chains with our friends and family who rallied around us and we felt Jesus in our midst on this journey. After numerous weeks battling with insurance and an inconclusive diagnosis at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, we eventually got an appointment with the expert at Mayo Clinic. After a day of testing, Mayo informed us that our daughter did not have this disease. We were in disbelief. We had mentally prepared to go the long haul and see this through, but now we had an unexpected turn of events. It was as if the stone in the dark cave had rolled away, and we got our daughter back! The outcome was not what we expected. Through the painful walk, we drew closer to family, friends, and God, feeling his unconditional love for us. We now had hope when we thought everything was lost!
The same is true in our daily sufferings. We are never alone. The stone has been rolled away. Jesus is alive and among us. He loves us more than we can humanly understand. When life is stressful, the road seems long, and you are struggling, remember the stone has been rolled away, death has been conquered, and He is alive! Be amazed by His love!
- Dave and Kathy Berns, St. Edward
Reflection
1) Where or how do I experience God’s living presence in me and the world around me?
2) Who has led me to the glory of new life, maybe at a time when all seemed lost?
3) What are the things, like the empty tomb, that confirm my belief in the Resurrection?
4) After these days of Lent, what does it mean to me to "rise amazed"?
5) How might I share the Good News of the Risen Jesus?