Meditation

This entry was written April 26, 2010

I got the idea from morning prayer today... "The Lord is risen from the tomb. Alleluia. Alleluia."

As I thought about it I asked the Lord to bring me to that very moment. the moment of the Resurrection so that I might have some glimpse of what it was like; what it meant and so gain some increase in my faith and understanding.

It was dark. the darkest part of the night, just before dawn. I was sitting by myself on a stone a short distance from the entrance to the tomb. Although I was alone I had the sense that there were many others with me. Perhaps all of those who like me, over the centuries, had also asked for a glimpse of this moment.

As my eyes adjusted to the dark night I stared at the tomb. After a while, without any warning a bright light escaped from the tomb. it came through the small spaces that the stone in front of the entrance didn't completely cover. Even though I was anticipating it I was a bit startled but it was a moment also filled with excitement. It could be described as something like the way a child anticipates Christmas but whose eyes pop open with excitement when the see what's under the tree.

I waited for something more to happen but nothing more came of it for what seemed a very long time. All I could see was the light peeking through the cracks of the entrance. I wondered "what is going on in there?"

Just as the sun rose and began to warm my face the stone started to move. It was the sound that first caught my attention, rock grinding against rock, and the crackle of its weight rolling across the ground.

There didn't seem to be anyone moving it but once it was completely rolled away a man, or what appeared to be a man, sat on top of it. I assume it was the angel waiting for the women to arrive.

Then, slowly, an image drew closer to the entrance from inside. It was the Lord. I could see him clearly now, dressed completely in white. He closed his eyes and lifted his face and hands toward the sky and took a deep breath. It was as though it was the first time He had ever tasted fresh air before and it was delicious. I could see all the way through the wounds in his hands as thought I were looking through an open window. I wondered if the wounds still hurt. I wonder if they still hurt even now. Will they hurt for all eternity? But watching him, it was like he was reaching out to all creation and as the morning sun came across his face he smiled. He didn't say anything but the look on his face said: "Ahhhhh my creation. I LOVE IT!"

He lowered his hands and his face, opened his eyes and looked my way. In the quiet of that moment he pointed his finger directly at me. Again he said nothing but I knew what he was telling me..."This is for you."