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The three-year cycle of readings that we have become accustomed to is partially suspended for Easter Sunday. We have the choice of three to seven OT readings at the great Vigil Mass, plus Paul’s reflection on Baptism (Romans 6:3-11). Then a Gospel reading of the initial discovery of the empty tomb from Matthew, Mark or Luke following the three-year cycle.
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On Easter Sunday morning we hear of the discovery of the empty tomb in John, although it is possible to substitute the Gospel reading from the previous night’s Vigil Mass. There is also an example of the early church proclamation of the Good News instanced by Peter’s address to Cornelius and his household (Acts 10) in the first reading and encouragement to live as Easter people in the second reading, either from Ephesians or 1st Corinthians.
The choice of texts may be made at the local parish level and may seem arbitrary to parishioners but whatever readings are used they provide an invitation to us to be renewed in our Easter faith.
Taking the account found in John 20:1-9 we see initially that all four evangelists begin their Easter accounts with the discovery of the empty tomb, though they tell the story differently. We might note that the women don’t interpret the empty tomb as an indicator of the resurrection of Jesus. In John it is Mary of Magdala alone who makes the discovery and she is shocked and shaken by it. Running to Simon Peter and the beloved disciple she indicates that the body has been stolen; this seems like an outrage on top of his unjust death.
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These two run to the tomb, the more athletic (younger?) disciple outrunning Peter then deferentially waiting outside the tomb for Peter to enter first. The scene is described with mention made of the linen cloths that had been wrapped around the body now lying on the ground and the cloth that had been around the head rolled up separately (only John mentions these cloths, perhaps he is pointing to Jesus being in control as he rises as he had “carried his own cross” to the place of crucifixion).
The other, beloved, disciple entered the tomb, saw these things, and believed. Easter faith has now occurred. One disciple, the significant one in John’s gospel, has come to faith. Scripture had spoken of God’s servant rising from the dead but the followers of Jesus had not understood that teaching.
We gather on Easter Sunday, having prepared over the weeks of Lent and especially over the most recent days. We have been through the emotional roller coaster of these events and now come to the great victory of the resurrection. We are invited to be like the beloved disciple and believe. As St Augustine would say: “We are an Easter people, and ‘Alleluia’ is our song.”
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