HOLY SATURDAY AT THE EASTER VIGIL IN THE HOLY NIGHT OF EASTER APRIL 3, 2021

MASS READINGS

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark 16:1-7

When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go and anoint him. Very early when the sun had risen, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb. They were saying to one another, “Who will roll back the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back; it was very large. On entering the tomb they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe, and they were utterly amazed. He said to them, “Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Behold the place where they laid him. But go and tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.’”

REFLECTION:

“Who will roll back the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?”

As soon as they were allowed according to Jewish law, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome were going to anoint Jesus in the tomb. Any fear, they may have had of encountering potential trouble from those who hated Jesus, did not deter them in making such a bold move to visit the tomb of Jesus. Yet, in their grief, they asked a simple and practical question, “Who will roll back the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” They probably knew the Roman soldiers were there to guard the tomb of their Master. Surely, they wouldn’t help the Jews care for their deceased. Despite not having an answer, these two women went forth to anoint the body. They did not make excuses to stop them from reaching the Lord.

The love these women had for Jesus was the driving force that led them to do the right thing. Let us ask ourselves, are we stepping forward every day with a purpose, centered around love for our God? This heavy stone that took many men to roll, can symbolically be the difficulties we face in life that have no answer. But God shows us, we can lovingly walk toward our Lord and he will remove all obstacles and bring us unexpectant joy.

We are celebrating Easter, the risen Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Let us rejoice in finding the empty tomb, and know the love He has for us can easily remove any “stone” blocking our way to Him.