She travels to where he is buried, to pay homage or weep we don’t know. She mistakens an angel for a gardener and discovers the tomb is empty. Stolen? Misplaced? Joseph of Arimathea still owed money on the tomb?

She runs back to tell the guys and, of course being guys, they don’t believe her until they run to find the tomb empty for themselves.

It’s empty. Not knowing as Paul Harvey would say “the rest of the story,” what kind of Easter message is that? An empty tomb?

If your life is presently empty then this Easter story attempts to provide you with a bit of Judy Garland’s, “Over the Rainbow.” It may not work but it’s still a pretty song.

If your life is presently content with lots of responsibilities and obligations then this “empty tomb” stuff is just another of the Church’s holy days. Or, is it?

Emptiness or fullness. Two extremes or is it somewhere in between?  The Easter message has a message for both camps. We can call it a “hole.”

Us feeling that “hole” of emptiness becoming wider with no bottom in sight and very little “rainbow” in its future for whatever circumstance caused that glaring “hole.” Us feeling life’s fullness has pending holes only to show themselves when the bottom breaks.

How can someone who’s experiencing emptiness fill that bottomless hole? How can someone feeling life’s fullness know (or care) about life’s holes?

It’s because it’s Easter. We may love the lilies and those hidden Easter eggs for the youngsters to uncover but the hidden resolutions to an adult’s life can be an Easter Hunt and a half.

Both those “empty” and those “full” folks need to focus on that empty tomb. Jesus was either taken or released. The Christian faith is durable enough to offer us that day for how many different responses.

Those feeling “empty” can slowly fill themselves up with a hopeful future of that slower slogan, “One step at a time.” Those feeling “full” can cherish their fullness but be careful where they walk.

Jesus’ tomb has been emptied because his ministry was completed. Yes, he’ll meet them numerous times over forty days but they’ll never recognize him until they eat.

The “Pass-Over” is all about food and Jesus is always hungry after leaving the tomb. Those empty can fill their holes with nourishing spiritual food and a bit of Garland thrown in and those feeling full can find assurance that if a hole does appear, there is a way out.

The Easter tomb is empty. Our lives began empty and we, daily, attempt to fill our lives with every good thing in order to share those good things, and ourselves, with others.

Books by Fr. Joe Jagodensky, SDS.
Available at Amazon.com:
“Soulful Musings,” reflections on the Catholic Church and American culture
“Living Faith’s Mysteries,” reflection on the Christian seasons of
Advent, Christmas/Lent, Easter
“Spiritual Wonderings and Wanderings,” reflections on the Catholic Church and American culture