THIS PAST EASTER SEASON, I visited a dear friend who was celebrating her 100th year. She greeted me with the words to a loved hymn, "Let us sing of Easter gladness"! Frances Thompson Hill, Christian Science Hymnal, No. 171. Her joy and warmth on that chilly afternoon made me think more about Easter itself—its meaning and relevance not only to both of us, but to the world. I felt inspired to think more deeply of the profound impact of Jesus' resurrection on humanity and what it takes to follow Christ in our daily lives.
Christ Jesus, through his resurrection, has given every one of us proof of the actuality of God—that God is the only Life and that an understanding of this great truth vanquishes death. Let's go back in time to the actual story of Jesus' resurrection as St. John records it in his Gospel. He sets the scene by telling us that near the place where Jesus was crucified there was a garden and that Jesus' body had been laid there in a new sepulcher by his two faithful friends Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus. See John 19:38–42. The account continues, telling us that while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene, who had kept brave watch with a few others at the foot of the cross, now ran to the sepulcher at the dawn of the third day. See John 20:1–18. To her surprise, the huge stone blocking the tomb had been rolled away! Mary quickly ran to tell Peter and another disciple, who came to see the empty tomb for themselves. They returned to their homes in wonder, but Mary lingered there.
Mary stooped down weeping as she looked into the grave, wondering what had happened to Jesus' body. As she turned away from the grave, she saw a man whom she assumed was the gardener and asked him where he had taken Jesus. Jesus himself answered her with one word: "Mary." She turned again, and in recognition and awe replied, "Master." To reward her faithfulness, Jesus now gave her a precious commission: "Go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God." We can imagine how her sorrow had turned into wondrous joy: she was the first to see the risen Christ!
