Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb.    (John 20:1)

Dark! It was very dark, before dawn, on the darkest night of their lives. Perhaps this is the derivation of the saying, "It is always darkest just before the dawn". The hearts and minds of the followers of Jesus were dark, too. Jesus, their master and their friend, had been brutally crucified. That Friday afternoon, the sky turned to night and the howling winds tore the curtain of the temple in two, a sign of mourning for the Jewish people. About 3 pm, Jesus uttered his last words and died. Hurriedly, Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple of Jesus, requested permission from the authorities and had taken Jesus' body from the scene of torture. Because it was nearing the beginning of the Sabbath, friends of Jesus quickly wrapped the body in new linen and placed him in Joseph's new rock-hewn tomb on his own property. A large stone was set in front of the opening. The chief priests and Pharisees, fearing the body would be stolen to fulfill the promise that Jesus would rise in three days, set a guard at the tomb. The women who had kept vigil at the foot of the cross all day sat watching this interment. For the next night and day, the disciples hid, anxious that the authorities would come to get them, too. Not only had they lost their beloved Jesus, but Judas, the one of the twelve who had turned Jesus over to the soldiers, had hanged himself in shame and despair that dark afternoon.

(Note the parallels here. A "Joseph" had been at Jesus' birth and now another Joseph took a leading role at his death, and of course, there was the famous Joseph in Genesis 39. Gardens are prominent throughout the Bible, from the Garden of Eden, the Garden of Gethsemane and the garden where the tomb of Jesus was located.)

Finally, the Sabbath was over, and the women were able to return to the tomb and prepare the body properly. Here, as they often do, the gospels differ on the information in the story. Matthew tells that while they were there, an earthquake rolled back the tomb and an angel told them Jesus had risen. Luke states two figures in white were sitting there. John writes that the tomb was opened, the frightened women went back to get a couple of the disciples, who looked in, and everyone except Mary Magdalene ran away. Whichever way it happened, Mary Magdalene was left alone weeping at the tomb, where two angels in dazzling white sat in the place the body had lain. She asked where the body had been taken, and was spoken to by a figure she thought to be the gardener. He called her by name, "Mary!". Realizing it was her dear Jesus, she joyfully greeted him and, at his command, ran to tell the other disciples that he had risen, indeed!

Each year during the three year cycle of readings, a different description is read. Listen for each author's report of each gospel - what is identical, what details are included or omitted in each account? This year, as we talked about the event in confirmation class, Pastor Pancoast noted the words, "and Peter" in the command by the angel to tell the disciples that Jesus would meet them in Galilee. (Mark 16:7) Why was Peter singled out from the other disciples? Was this a sign that he had been forgiven for his denial of Jesus? Was it because he was now the head man on the team?

Today, many churches, including Abiding Presence, end the Lenten Season with an Easter Vigil. Like the first disciples, we gather in the dark, recount the narrative of the crucifixion, and then begin the celebration of the Resurrection at approximately midnight. A new fire is kindled; candles are lit, flowers brought forward to adorn the chancel, and the sanctuary lights blaze. The darkness of sin and death has been overcome by the light of Christ.

The Blessed Easter Story! Desolation and sadness turned to hope and gladness. In the midst of death, there is new life. Return to your home after worship on this glorious day and tell others, as Mary Magdalene did, "I have seen the Risen Lord!" Let the brilliant Light of Christ shine in your heart and in your life.

Heavenly Father and God of mercy, we no longer look for Jesus among the dead, for he is alive and has become the Lord of life. From the waters of death you raise us with him and renew your gift of life within us. Increase in our minds and hears the risen life we share with Christ and help us to grow as your people toward the fullness of eternal life with you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN
   from Easter Season Meditation by Robert F. Morneau

Contributed by Rosemary
Sunday March 23, 2008
Liturgical Year A Week 17
Sunday Gospel reading:
Fourth Sunday in Lent