Easter Sunday - Fr. Leo

 I was thinking that extending Lent during this Lenten experience of sheltering-at-home would embrace this time that is not business as usual.  Then when the proper time came we could celebrate Easter by gathering together again.  What a profound celebration that would be bonding our community of faith in the resurrection we profess. 

On the other hand, Easter is always now!  As we are in Lent we see and sense the coming of the light.  This was the experience of Jesus’ first followers in today’s gospel from John 20:1-9.  Mary of Magdala comes to the tomb in the dark before sunrise.  Seeing the immense stone rolled away from the tomb, she runs to inform Peter and the “other disciple” whom Jesus loved.

Peter and the “other disciple” went to the tomb.  It was empty and all that remained were the burial cloths and the cloth that covered his head.  The younger disciple, because of his love, saw andbelieved.  It was not reason, but love with its ownlogic, that allowed him to know that Jesus had risen.  Later, the rest of the community comes to understand and believe in the scripture’s meaning of “rising from the dead.” 

What I like about this passage is that it refers to the second and younger apostle as “the one whom Jesus loved.”  There is no name given so that our own names can be inserted as we come to affirm the resurrection of Christ in the living experience of the gift of Love.  Love is God and our daily dying and rising is a sharing in God’s love that unites us with God and all humanity and creation.

For us to affirm the resurrection we can begin by affirming the gift of love and community. Though we are apart in this time of social distancing, in what ways are we closer and more intentional about ourrelationships?  One thing I notice when I go for a walk, is that people (strangers) might nod, wave, or sayhello acknowledging that we are all one in this time ofseparation.  So perhaps in that little way we are closer to others even though we are apart.  We are a little friendlier in our being apart then not.

So, let us look for and celebrate the Easter that is emerging in this early dawn after a long “night.”  Let us look forward to when can come together again and celebrate the gift of community and love that God is refining at this time.  May God’s peace descend upon your hearts and give birth to the faith of “the disciple whom Jesus loved.”