The Stations of the Resurrection--Second Station--The Disciples Find the Tomb Empty

("The Empty Tomb" by Jesus Martinez Gordo)

The Second Station--The Disciples Find the Tomb Empty

Leader: O Risen Christ, Light of the world, we adore you;
People: The disciples looked in the tomb, and saw and believed.

Mary Magdalene could scarcely catch her breath as she told Peter and the beloved disciple what she had seen. As they heard her story, they looked at each other incredulously. Was she so grief-stricken she was delirious? "This can't possibly be," they told her. The tomb was guarded. No one could have stolen the body. At this point, they could not imagine anything beyond "stolen."

"Come," Peter told Mary. "Let's go back there and you will see our Lord still rests there. The guards would not have let him be stolen."

When they all arrived back at the tomb, a large crowd was already there. More soldiers had arrived to keep order. People huddled at the mouth of the tomb but would not go in. The beloved disciple said to Peter, "Look! His burial linens are there, but he has disappeared!" Finally Peter burst through the crowd and into the tomb. "He's gone!" he exclaimed, but only after he had grabbed up the burial linens and held them in his own hands.

Leader: As the disciples looked out from the inside of the tomb;
People: They feared that their Lord's body had been stolen.

Leader: Let us pray.
(a brief period of silence is observed.)

Everlasting God,
Sometimes we cannot believe your works until we see for ourselves,
and even then, we try to rationalize it.
Teach us to fully believe in your mighty power
even when it seems distant from us.
Remind us of your continuous presence,
and that you alone have the power to conquer sin and death.
Keep our eyes ever looking forward, turning to the light, and life,
Rather than remaining in the darkness of our own fears.

People: Amen.

Leader: Alleluia! Christ is risen!
People: The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!