What a strange reading for the Church to offer to us just two days after Christmas. On the 25th we read about the birth of Our Lord. Today, on the 27th, we read about the empty tomb. As the kids would say, well, that escalated quickly!
Of course the readings for today are meant to celebrate the Feast of St. John, Apostle and Evangelist. That one disciple “whom Jesus loved” and who stood by Mary at the foot of the Cross. The one who “ran ahead” to the tomb. That disciple who tells us that God is light and love.
Yet I can’t help seeing a parallel between the Christmas story and today’s Gospel reading where Peter and John run to the empty tomb. If, in our mind’s eye, we see the manger scene not as a little barn but as a cave used to keep livestock, a different image begins to appear.
The manger-cave was cold and empty, like a tomb, until the Light of the World was gently placed in that rough-hewn feeding trough. The tomb-cave too was cold and empty until the sleeping body of Our Lord was placed gently inside. Swaddling cloths were used to wrap the tiny King while burial cloths were used to wrap the same King 33 years later. Neither sets of cloths would be used for long!
The manger-cave was visited by shepherds, kings, and angels. The tomb-cave was visited by soldiers, disciples, and angels as well. The star marked the resting place of the new-born babe. Unimaginable power and light, like that of a star, burst forth from the tomb-cave at the Resurrection.
Henry Van Dyke’s Other Wiseman, arriving too late to Bethlehem, may have uttered the same words of Mary Magdalene at the tomb when he arrived at the manger-cave, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we do not know where they put him.“
The blessed earthly life of Our Lord began and ended in a cave. It has been my experience that often times, this is where He can still be found. In the dark, in suffering, in obscurity, in places I want to avoid; the Lord waits patiently for me. This is the wisdom found by the Kings and Shepherds and even, perhaps unwittingly, by the soldiers and disciples; they sought Him in those places. They dared to go there.
When I dare to go there, to those dark caves of my life, and make room for Him – He comes. Often He comes as the softly cooing babe seeking to soften my hard heart. At other times He comes powerfully into those dark places with painful but healing light.
As we approach the New Year, I challenge you and myself to dare to go there; to examine those dark caves of sin and suffering in our life. Let us be like the wise men, shepherds, and St. John and seek Him wherever He leads us be that the mountain top or the cave.
Consider supporting my work by purchasing a book for yourself or loved one or by simply donating. Make sure to subscribe below for more. God bless you!
James M. Hahn, Author 