There is a story told about the only white man buried in a cemetery for blacks. He lost his mother when he was a baby. His father, who did not remarry, hired a black woman to raise his son. She took her job seriously. The motherless boy received warmhearted attention. He remembered often how Mandy bent over him in his bedroom each day and said, "Wake up, my boy, God's mornin’ is come"
With the passing years Mandy remained his surrogate mother. When he came home from college, she climbed the stairs and woke him in the same way. One day after he became a distinguished statesman, he received the sad message, “Mandy is dead. Can you attend the funeral?” As he stood by her grave, he told his friends, “If I die before Jesus comes, I want to be buried here beside Mandy. I think on Resurrection Day she’ll turn to me and say, "Wake up, my boy, God's mornin' has come." Illustrations Unlimited, p. 163-4In her tender way, Mandy repeated what Mary Magdalen said to the Apostles at the first Easter. “Wake up my boys, Christ’s mornin’ has come.” The apostles’ faith was a bit groggy, slow to believe. Magdalen witnesses the mysterious link between love and knowledge. Augustine says, Give me a lover and he will understand.
Jesus loved us so much that he kept the scars of love. Some might say, “Why didn’t God fix him up? Why the scars? Could it be that we only see Jesus when we can behold the wounds on love? Jesus is living but never fixed up. He is not bound by death, but he is scarred for eternity. The deaf have a sign for Jesus. They place the middle finger of their right hand into the palm of their left. The wound of love is Christ’s name.
Prayer
Risen Lord Jesus, I love you and thank you for the gift of your resurrection. Because of this our faith in you is possible. Help us witness to all you taught and did for us.
Reflect
What are some ways you find Christ’s resurrection has an impact on your life? Why was it necessary for Christ to rise as well as die for our salvation?
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Closing Meditation
Scene of Jesus visiting the souls of the just after his death and his descent into sheol:
For the sake of you who left a garden, I was betrayed in a garden and crucified in a garden...
See on my face the spittle I received in order to restore you to the life I once breathed into you.
See there the marks of the blows I received in order to refashion your warped nature into my image.
On my back see the marks of the scourging I endured to remove the burden of sin that weighs upon your back.
See my hands nailed firmly to a tree, for you who once wickedly stretched out your hand to a tree...
My side has healed the pain in yours...
Rise let us leave this place...
The bridal chamber is adorned, the banquet is ready, the eternal dwelling places are prepared, the treasure houses of all good things lie open. The kingdom of heaven has been prepared for you from all eternity.
From an ancient homily on Holy Saturday LH II, 497-8
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