Bible Corner and Quote for the Week

Last week I took a quote from the Passion Gospel for Good Friday. This week I am taking a quote from the Gospel of the Easter Vigil. Mark’s account of the first Easter morning and doubling it as reflection for the Bible Corner. St. Mark begins his account with the naming of three women who were heading to the tomb after the sabbath — Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James, and Salome. They brought spices and they were wondering how they were going to get into the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus as there was a big stone blocking the entrance. When they got there, it was already pushed back and they went in and were amazed to see a young man dressed in white sitting in the tomb. He said to them:

“There is no need for alarm. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified: he has risen, he is not here.”

It is very much to the point: Jesus of Nazareth was crucified. He was placed in the tomb but he has risen from the dead. We can only imagine what was going through the heads of these three women! He’s not here, he has risen! Every Easter we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Saviour. The four Gospels have an account of that first Easter. Common to all four accounts of the empty tomb experience is the name of Mary of Magdala. She bears witness to the resurrection to the apostles — it is because of this she has been described as “an apostle to the apostles”.