Black Saturday
The Word
Gen 1:1-2:2/Rm 6:3-11/Mt 28:1-10
After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other
Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the
Lord descended from heaven, approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His
appearance was like lightning and his clothing was white as snow. The guards were shaken
with fear of him and became like dead men. Then the angel said to the women in reply, “Do
not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been
raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his
disciples, “He has been raid from the dead, and he is going before you to Galilee; there you
will see him”. Behold, I have told you”.
Then they went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet, overjoyed, and ran to announce this
to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They
approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said, “Do not be afraid. Go
tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me”.
In other words…
Two years ago, Señora Angela got ill with cancer. In the seminary she actively participated in
our bible sharing groups during Wednesdays. I would listen attentively to her reflections,
amazed by her profound and childlike faith. The doctors had told her that she had little
chance and time to live. Months and years passed. All we knew was that she was not getting
any better. Until one day, after I celebrated the Sunday mass, a familiar voice and a smiling
face greeted me. “Hola Padre!”(“Hello Father!”). To my surprise, it was Señora Angela. “Are
you still alive?” were the words I spontaneously uttered. Laughter followed. Then she went
on to tell me the good news that she was still alive because she put all her trust in the Lord.
The doctors cannot believe and explain her present condition.
The women who went to the tomb of Jesus were not expecting to experience something
extraordinary. They just wanted to visit the tomb, but instead beyond their human
imagination, they received the surprising news that Jesus was risen from the dead. They were
filled with joy, and they hurried back to announce to the other disciples what they heard and
witnessed.
We can examine ourselves if we are living concretely in Easter time, in the light of the risen
Lord. Are our decisions and actions motivated by fear or by faith? Do we share and grow in
our faith with others, as community of disciples? Do our lives have a sense of mission, that is,
of announcing the Gospel to others by our joyful witness? – Fr. Edwin de Leon Fernandez,
SVD (Chile)