We are in such a glorious season, as well as being in challenging times. I recently heard a homily that said, “Some see the tomb as empty and others as full.” It wasn’t until I started talking with people that I realized you could take these two different ways. The empty tomb could be hopeful or sad, the same as the full tomb. So, I think I’ll go with the first way I thought about it and share it with you.
The difference isn’t a tomb full or empty but how we look at it with the eyes of faith. Without the eyes of faith, the tomb is a dead end! It becomes a doorway with the eyes of faith. With eyes of faith, the tomb becomes a place of transformation. The empty tomb speaks of a victory over death and a fulfillment of God’s promise. God is a faithful God. The empty tomb speaks of going forth and spreading the good news. It’s a new day, a new beginning filled with joy, yet one must believe and move from doubt to faith.
We could also have our tombs filled with anxiety, worry, or uncertainty about the future. We can be filled with doubt just as Mary Magdalene was as she struggled to understand what was happening. And sometimes we can feel that nothing can change, life is hopeless. I am sure this is not what the story of the tomb is about. BUT…
The question becomes: how do we see the “tombs” in our own lives? Are they places of defeat, or are they places where we trust that God is preparing something new? Because the message of Easter is this—what looks like an ending is often just the beginning of resurrection.
Till next week,
Sister Theresita Donach, CSFN
