Stones Will Roll Away

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 raised 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 to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” (Matthew 28:1-10)

We’re not experiencing an earthquake, but life and economy-shattering, trembling experiences caused by COVID-19 have been the norm for many weeks with more fissures in our lives to come.   Many of us shake with fear and have deadened spirits.  The stones are still across our doors as we fear venturing out from our homes this Easter Vigil.  No angels are rolling away those stones, not yet anyways.

The angels tell us “Do not be afraid!  You seek Jesus; you will see him.”   Jesus tells us the same, “Do not be afraid.”  Those words can fall on deaf ears.   But for us on this Vigil our ears must be opened.  We have hope.  We are brave.  The stones will roll away.

Deacon David Pierce