14 - Jesus' body is placed in the tomb
Lord, you are my hope, my life and my salvation. Give me grace to accept in faith those mysteries beyond my understanding.
Scripture:
As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. Matthew 27:57-60
Meditation:
Joseph has followed Jesus for some time. He has heard him teach, witnessed many miracles. Joseph believed Jesus to be the Son of God. But now he's dead. Joseph wonders why he had to die. Why did he have to suffer? Jesus made Joseph understand that his wealth could not buy his way into heaven, so he began to give it away. Now he has given away the tomb he had had prepared for his family and himself. He is honored to bury Jesus here. But he didn't think it would end like this. He heard Jesus say that he would be killed and rise after three days. What did he mean by that? Joseph does not understand.
Prayer:
Ever-present God, your son, the bearer of new life, waited in death in this holy time before the resurrection. Grant that I may wait with patience, that I may come at last to the full joy of Easter. This I ask in the name of Jesus Christ, whose death made it possible for me to ask, Amen.
