The Empty Tomb

Dearest Ones,

We are now in the holiest time of the year. In these days during Holy Week, we call to mind the ugliest time in history. It was horrible for Jesus, being betrayed by one of his own. We all know how much it hurts when we are betrayed by someone near and dear to us. We feel so violated and lonely, which is the way Jesus felt. He looked out into the faces of those he had healed, blessed and fed with his own Body, and saw only hatred. His only crime was Love! Too much Love? No, there can never be too much Love. He gave us the example of loving those who hate us. He made sure to tell us the real meaning of service to our neighbor, above all things. He washed the feet of those he knew would deny him - giving us the example of forgiveness. Even though Jesus had told his followers he would rise from the dead, they were still surprised and dumbfounded when they actually saw that empty tomb. I wonder if I would have been surprised, too? Just what did that empty tomb mean? Why was it the most significant happening in history? Because it meant that Jesus is alive, he was telling the truth, he is not a liar and it means our bodies are also going to be alive someday in glory, just like his. The empty tomb is the hope of every believer. In that hope, we Christians live each day, even though we may have trials and hardships. Paul said, "We always carry about in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be revealed in our body." (2 Cor 4:10) No one has ever risen from the dead on his own power. This proved Jesus was God. Wasn't that why men crucified him? For saying he was God? And now he proved that he is God! Many, many people saw him, talked to him and touched him after He had Risen! There is no doubt He is God and not just some ghost. He did what no man had ever done. It caused many to believe in Him. The Resurrection is the main point of the gospel. Without Christ's Resurrection, all that the Church has to stand upon is a dead man, not a living Savior! Christianity is the only religion, in which the one who started it - is still alive! Buddha, Mohammed and other religious leaders are all dead. For believers, the risen Christ actually lives on in us!! What a comforting thought! "I will never leave you nor forsake you," Jesus says, as he leaves this earth. Because the tomb was empty and Christ was raised to life in the body, we believers can count on the promise of also having a glorified body someday. "Who by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." (Phil. 3:21) God allows some suffering and sickness in our lives to purify and sanctify us because there is no prayer, like suffering. Jesus himself proved that, by suffering terribly and even dying in agony to open the gates of Heaven for us. There is nothing compared with suffering to sanctify and to be a power for good in the world. Suffering is far too powerful to be wasted - it can save souls and also be offered in reparation for our sins, so that our time in Purgatory won't be so long. Please don't think it is a punishment when you are asked to suffer, whether it is physical or mental suffering.It is a privilege to unite our sufferings with those of Christ, as we help Him save the world. Trusting in God's love helps us to overcome life's most difficult challenges. Our souls begin to recognize that we belong to Him and he is love. Then, filled with his Love, it will come shining through us to others.

Have a Happy and Blessed Easter! He is Risen! Alleluia!
Sister Francelle