Reflections on the Dawn - Easter Sunrise 2023

Based on John 20: 1 - 18

It was still dark when Mary arrived in the garden… 

I mean, it was before the appointed hour of dawn so of course it was still dark, but if we pay attention to the story of Jesus as it is told throughout John’s gospel, we know that there is more meaning to the light and the dark than the time of day...

 

From the beginning of John’s gospel:

What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it.

 

…and then later after giving sight to a man born blind, this:

Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”

 

And so, it matters that Mary arrives:

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark…

 

In this story, Mary has not shown up to do any particular work. She does not have ointments with her. She has come in the darkness. Because Jesus whom she loved and served and followed is not in this world.

 

When she finds the tomb empty, she is full of assumptions.

Until she hears his voice, the familiar way that he speaks her name.

Mary…

 

And just like the dawning of the day, just like the light emerging above the horizon, Christ’s light returns to her world.

 

To our world.

Each and every day.

Because he lives.

The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it.

The light shines in the darkness and the darkness will not overcome it.

 

Christ is risen, he is risen indeed. Alleluia.