The tomb was empty….
It happened to me. I am a regular at the adoration chapel at our church. I crave the intimacy with our Lord in order to strengthen me beyond regular mass.
I NEED the private time sitting at Jesus’ feet listening to him speak directly to me – our one on one time.
Well, one particular weekend our church hosted several concurrent events to include Confirmation retreats alongside regularly scheduled masses. As a result, adoration was suspended (and I didn’t get the email).
I arrived at the chapel at my normal time to find that Jesus wasn’t there!
I was lost! Where did he go? Sure, the abundance of cars in the parking lot indicated that adoration was suspended, but it still hurt. Jesus wasn’t there.
I took this event as a learning point…how many times has Jesus tried to reach me personally and I wasn’t present? How many times was I not willing to receive His word and the blessings awaiting for me? Similarly, how did the disciples feel when they ran to the tomb after Jesus’ death to find that his body was not present? How did they react to not having the familiar presence and friendship of our Lord?
This is the essence of a spiritual relationship. Both parties need to be available and willing to receive the gift of mutual love.
This Easter season as we approach the barren altar on Holy Saturday let us remember that we are empty without Christ. It is through His resurrection that we find eternal life.
They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” John 20:13
