Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb.

Mary Magdalene is our model in the spiritual life.  Even though the living presence of her master was no longer with her, and she very possibly thought him dead for good, she rose early and set out, in the dark and by herself, and went to the tomb.

Her love prompted her to be where her master was, though he be dead.

When sin, darkness, fear and suffering, discouragement, confusion, anger and oppression close in on us and Christ seems to be far out of our lives, indeed, when he seems utterly dead, it is then that we must head to the tomb.

We must stir ourselves, rouse ourselves early at the start of the new day and step out into the darkness.  Though we are by ourselves we go to where we know we last found Jesus: in the scriptures, in the community of believers at prayer, in creation, in the stillness of our hearts.  We keep watch.  We keep vigil.  Never losing faith that the morning star whom we so love will come to us and set us free by looking upon us and speaking our name.

“Be attentive to the prophetic message as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” (2 Peter 1.19)