Journeying Through Faith: Reflections on the Resurrection Story

The story of the resurrection is a powerful one, and it can teach us much about our own journey of faith. In his homily, Fr Dominic invited us to reflect on the four stages of belief that Mary and the disciples went through. These stages can serve as a model for our own spiritual journey:

1. Confusion: At first, they may have thought the story of the resurrection was fabricated and impossible to believe. John 20:2 says, “So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!'”
   This stage of faith is characterized by scepticism and doubt. It is natural for us to question things that seem impossible or beyond our understanding. We may struggle to reconcile what we know to be true with what we are being asked to believe.
2. Searching: Like Peter, they may have checked the facts but still felt puzzled about what had happened. John 20:6-7 says, “Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen.”
   This stage of faith is characterized by a desire for understanding and clarity. We may seek out evidence and proof to help us make sense of what we are being asked to believe. We may wrestle with questions and doubts, trying to make sense of things that seem confusing or contradictory.
3. Encounter: Only when they had a personal encounter with Jesus were they able to accept the facts of the resurrection. John 20:16 says, “Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means ‘Teacher’).”
   This stage of faith is characterized by a personal encounter with God. It is an invitation to experience God’s love and presence in a profound and life-changing way. We may have moments in our lives where we feel a deep sense of peace or joy, or where we sense God’s presence in a tangible way.
4. Commitment: Finally, they committed to the mission that Jesus had called them to do. John 20:28-29 says, “Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'”
   This stage of faith is characterized by a willingness to take action and live out our beliefs. It is an invitation to embrace the mission that God has called us to do and to use our gifts and talents to serve Him and others. We may feel called to specific ministries or vocations, or we may simply seek to live out our faith in our daily lives.

We too can go through these stages on our own journey of faith. At times, we may struggle to fully comprehend the mystery of the resurrection, and find it hard to believe that Jesus truly rose from the dead. It is natural for us to want to examine the evidence and understand the facts before we can accept something as true.

As we reflect on the empty tomb, we are reminded that it is a significant symbol of our own spiritual journey. When we leave the tomb, we leave behind our sins and embrace the new life that Jesus has won for us through His resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:3-5 says, “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve.”

The empty tomb is a reminder that there is no power over Christ, and that we too can have the hope of eternal life with Him in heaven. As we celebrate this Easter day, let us remember that the resurrection is not just a historical event, but a reality that continues to transform lives today.

May we be inspired by the journey of faith that Mary and the disciples went through, and may we too strive to grow in our own faith, encounter the risen Lord, and commit to the mission that He is calling us to do.

Alleluia! Christ is risen!