Happy Easter! Today all eyes are on the Holy Site, the empty Tomb of Jesus of Nazareth inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. Below are photos that I took during my pilgrimage in 2019, on the site of the burial of Jesus, at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. It was a privilege to have presided the Mass at the Tomb of Jesus on that eventful morning at 5 am. The setting of today’s gospel reading is unique, the Tomb. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the Tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. What happened?
“They went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce the news to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approved, embraced his feet, and did him homage.”
What were the first words of Jesus to the ladies?
“Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” Wow
He is not here. The Holy Tomb of Jesus
Tell “my brothers” to meet me in Galilee. Galilee was Jesus’ base during his three-year ministry. Tell my brothers.
Didn’t Jesus say, “Whoever does the will of my Father is my brother, my sister, and my mother? Sure, He did.
As we know, the proof for the resurrection of Jesus is not the empty tomb per se. Jesus appeared to several people. Many people had the opportunity to see him, even those who doubted, “Put your finger here, do not doubt but believe,” Jesus said to Thomas
Fr. Peter Eke kissing the Holy Tomb of Jesus at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher after celebrating Holy Mass inside the Tomb.
Saint Paul says, “For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures; that he was buried; that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures; that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. After that, he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one born abnormally, he appeared to me.” (I Corinthians 15: 3-8)
May the Easter message continue to resound in our hearts and souls, and through us to our sisters and brothers. If we do his will, we are his brothers and sisters too. Have a wonderful Easter celebration.
