The wicked had just achieved the most devastating victory in history. The Son of God had been defeated. He was dead. He was gone. And with him all hope of anything good ever happening again. There was nothing to do but despair. No wonder the two disciples go off to Emmaus to try and drown their sorrow.
Early that morning the women come to the tomb, not having a clue as to how they would roll back the heavy stone that required several stout men.
And then comes one of the verses of the whole Bible that I personally find to be the most inspiring: They looked up and saw that the stone had been rolled back!
Everything is reversed. All of a sudden, and without warning, God intervenes. And when God intervenes everything can change. Everything.
The worst defeat becomes, in an instant, the greatest victory.
So fear not, beloved friends, everything can change at Easter.
Christianity, as GK Chesterton wrote, has died many times in the past, but it has also risen many times, for it has a God who found the way out of the grave.
All the monks send you their love for an Easter overflowing with paschal joy.
Surrexit vere, alleluia!
