The Empty Tomb

Gospel JN 20:1-9

On the first day of the week,
Mary of Magdala 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.
They got to the tomb, saw that the stone was rolled away, and only burial cloths remained.  How did Peter and the other disciple account for this?  Where was Jesus?  Who took His body?  They must have been very confused.  Jesus dies a crminal's death on the cross and even his lifeless body can't find peace in the tomb.  Could things get any worse for the disciples?  For me?  It is during these moments when I finally turn to God.  When there is no where else to turn, I seek comfort in God's embrace.  God often meets me when I find myself at rock bottom.  God's strength is made manifest in my weakness.  Dear Lord, during this resurrection Sunday, help me to move on from Jesus death and suffering - to fully experience the joy of his resurrection.  Just as Jesus conquered death and was raised up, I am set free from the death grip of sin and have a second chance at life, one filled with Your gift of joy, love, and peace.