Easter Sunday: Fall in Love, Stay in Love

“Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.” - Col 3:1-4

In today’s Gospel, sadness and sorrow filled Mary Magdalene’s heart as she came to prepare the body of Jesus. Her grief shifted to panic when she discovered the stone removed along with an empty tomb. She ran to tell Peter and the other disciples that He was gone. They were just as bewildered when they arrived to the tomb. Moments later, their heartache and confusion transformed into joy realizing that Jesus has risen from death to eternal life.

Reflecting upon this scripture, I could imagine how Mary expected the stone covering to be properly in place over the tomb and how fathoming anything good to unfold from the tragic events of the previous forty-eight hours was inconceivable. It also appeared that no one else amongst the disciples anticipated the resurrection as well. Mary Magdalene and the other disciples remind me of how God continuously invites me to be more courageous in taking greater risks to fall in love and stay in love.

In moments of despair, when I am tempted to fear the worst, or fail to imagine that God’s love can permeate every single disturbing happening, He encourages me to wrap my heart and mind around the unbelievable and trust that my fears can be carriers of grace. By forgiving what is unforgivable, accepting what is unacceptable, embracing the myriad of diversity that shakes me up, and pleading for a resurrection inside my own battered heart, I can expand my idea of mercy and find a God, who patiently waits for me, comforts me, and makes me whole again.

What would it take for me to turn around and believe?

What is it that I cannot imagine and keeps me searching in the empty tomb?

Tam Lontok