EASTER SUNDAY

4/12/09 Easter Sunday – Solemnity of the Lord’s Resurrection

Gospel: John 20:1-9

“He had to rise from the dead.”

Nearly 2,000 years ago, if you can imagine that many sunrises, the shrouded body of Jesus was resting on a stone bench. He lay in darkness and silence during the Sabbath day. And then came dawn and his glorious resurrection.

Pilgrims to the Holy Land find this revered site in a small chapel in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. A marble slab marks the place where the body of Christ was laid. A vase with candles marks the spot where his head rested. On this Easter Sunday, we stand at the edge of time and try to comprehend the cornerstone of faith. We can touch this stone where once he lay, but in touching it, we are like Thomas, who needed to put his fingers into Jesus’ side.

Deacon Dick Folger