The WORD in Other Words by Fr Michael Layugan SVD
Easter Sunday
Acts 10:34a, 37-43
Col 3:1-4 or I Cor 5:6b-8
Jn 20:1-9 or Lk 24:1-12 or Lk 24:13-35
Mary of Magdala went to the place where Jesus was buried and found an empty tomb. She hurriedly went to inform the other disciples about the empty tomb. Peter and John sprinted towards the location of the tomb. Jesus‘ body was not there. One of them saw an empty tomb and believed.
The disciples found an empty tomb at the lowest moment in their lives. They witnessed the death of their Master. To all appearances, the empty tomb is a paradox. But the empty tomb is a message of hope, for the Lord is risen from the dead.
There are many instances in our lives when we find an “empty tomb.” The Lord is seemingly nowhere to be found especially during those times when we need Him the most. In those moments when we find ourselves in an “empty tomb,” the response of John is an example to follow. We see in those moments that the Lord has always been there and just like the other disciple, we only have to believe.
The lyrics of the song Footprints in the Sand put it quite well. “Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you would walk with me all the way. But I noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don‘t understand why in times I needed you most you would leave me. And the Lord replied, “My precious, precious child, I love you. And I would never, never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”
