The consequences of the empty sepulcher
The other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in; he saw and he believed. (John 20, 8)
On the first day of the week Mary of Magdala came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb’ she said ‘and we don’t know where they have put him.’ So Peter set out with the other disciple to go to the tomb. They ran together, but the other disciple, running faster than Peter, reached the tomb first; he bent down and saw the linen cloths lying on the ground, but did not go in. Simon Peter who was following now came up, went right into the tomb, saw the linen cloths on the ground, and also the cloth that had been over his head; this was not with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in; he saw and he believed. (John 20,2-8)
Saint Mary Magdalene was the first witness of the empty tomb, on the day of Jesus' resurrection. The emptiness of that tomb initially gave her further pain and anguish because she feared that the Holy Body had been stolen. This interior emptiness is soon filled by the apostles Peter and John who seeing the place where Jesus lay was empty and His cloths unfolded, understood that He is truly risen and on this they will base their whole lives from now on. Do you ever think about how important it is that Jesus is risen? What difference does it make to your practical everyday life?
