Empty Tomb

Nov 13

“On the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen.’”
Luke 24: 1-6

Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA, where members of the Kolodziej family are buried.

The month of November is traditionally a time in which the Catholic community remembers all those who have died in Christ. It is an opportunity to think of the end of time, to recall the harvest, and to contemplate the circle of life. During the autumn season, nature itself is a symbol of completion. When death comes, St. Francis de Sales tells us to remember that God is the Great Gardner who plants, sows, and calls us home when the time is right. Our patron tells us: “Let God gather to Himself what He has planted, for He takes nothing out of season.”

During these weeks between Halloween and Thanksgiving, many people remember their deceased loved ones by visiting their graves at the cemetery. In many ways, the month of November is much like Holy Saturday – a time to wait at the tomb. Throughout the month, the Christian community waits at the Lord’s tomb, meditating on His passion and death. But we also focus on our death, our limited time on earth, and the end of our own journey in this life.

And, still, we hope. We hope that the promise the Lord made will be fulfilled. We hope that He will rise again, we hope that we will rise again. As we wait, we remember, we celebrate, and we believe that death is not the end. It is not here – it is not in the tomb; it has no power in our world.

Because of the Resurrection, we know death does not have the last word. Love, light, and life remain even when our bodies are placed in a tomb. No tomb can hold back the life that we have been given in Christ. The love of God conquers all things…even death itself.

During this month, like the women in the Gospel, we go to the tomb. Some of us will go to a cemetery, others will look at an old picture or memento, and many will lift up a prayer for a loved one who has passed away. Wherever we are, we look up to see the stone rolled away. At first glance, we find emptiness. However, our hearts are full. We are full of hope, joy, and love. Jesus is not there. He has been raised; He lives. May we strive each day to live, to love, and to “Live Jesus.”