Reflection for April 8, Holy Saturday at the Easter Vigil: Matthew 28:1-10

Gospel: Matthew 28:1-10

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.”

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Reflection:

How would we know that Jesus is alive in a person’s life? The answer is simple, if the person lives the teaching of Jesus then we could safely conclude that Jesus is alive within that person’s life. This is basically the yardstick on how we would know if Jesus is alive in a person’s life.  

In the gospel, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb of Jesus. But they were told by an angel that He was not there anymore for He has already risen. Immediately after that their hearts were already on fire and they were overjoyed. 

This is how we should become also our hearts must always be on fire and overjoyed for the risen Jesus. We must therefore live the life and teachings of Jesus for this is the best method on how to create awareness that Jesus is alive within us. 

But the big question that needs to be answered is this: Is Jesus really alive in our hearts? If Jesus is alive in our hearts already, well and good. Then we now go to the next phase which is to live the teachings of Jesus. 

This we could do best by our life of simplicity, humility, and gentleness. – Marino J. Dasmarinas