March 31st
Scripture
Gn 1:1, 2: 2, Ps 104:1-2, 5-6, 10-14, 24, 35;
Gn 22:1-18; Ps 16:5-11; Ex 14:15, 15:1;
Ex 15:1-6, 17-18; Is 54:5-14; Ps 30:2-6, 11-13; Is 55:1-11;
Is 12: 2-6; Bar 3:9-15, 32, 4:4; Ps19:8-11;
Ez 36:16-28; Ps 42:3, 5; 43:3-4; Rom 6: 3-11;
Ps 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23; Mk 16:1-7
Reflection
Then they went out from the tomb, seized with trembling and wonderment. Mk 16:8
The Holy Saturday Easter vigil liturgy is a wellspring of biblical history. The
readings tell the story of God’s love and saving power from Genesis through
Exodus and the Prophets. We listen as disciples on the journey, not to
Emmaus but to the tomb. Then Mark’s Gospel details with remarkable
specificity what happened when the first three disciples arrived at the tomb.
Throughout this Gospel the disciples are often described as blind to the
obvious. That sentiment is consistent in this scene. The tomb was open and
empty! There was a young man in a white robe sitting inside the tomb. He
had a simple message for them, “You seek Jesus of Nazareth. He has been
raised; he is not here.” The women are speechless; they run away “seized
with trembling and wonderment.” To be honest, I believe that I, too, would
have been unable to comprehend this Resurrection moment.
Prayer
Teach me, loving God, open my eyes and my heart to the
Resurrection moments that happen every day in my life. Beauty and
love surround me on all sides. Help me to see, accept, enjoy and be
grateful.
Personal Challenge
Be open to the Resurrection moment given to you today.
Marianne Race, CSJ
Brookfield, IL
