Reflection 17: The resurrection is not a one-time event
Christ Resurrected and the Maries at the Tomb (1439-1443) by Fra Angelico
Beloved Pilgrims,
Christ is Risen! Alleluia!
Blessed Easter to each of you.
Following Jesus, after our souls passed through Good Friday (surrender), and Holy Saturday (silence and stillness), we are prepared for Easter (rebirth). Today, we celebrate the mystery at the heart of Lent, life rising from death, light breaking through darkness, and love triumphing over everything that seeks to destroy it. The tomb is empty. Resurrection is real.
Life always finds a way.
Light cannot be extinguished.
Love is stronger than death.
The Resurrection symbolizes the soul's transcendence of form. Jesus appears after resurrection not as a body bound by time and space, but as light, presence, breath, flame. This teaches that the spiritual journey leads us beyond the physical into pure being, presence, and unitive consciousness.
Easter speaks to all seekers across traditions. It mirrors the teachings of rebirth in Buddhism, enlightenment in Hinduism, divine annihilation and return in Sufism, and liberation in Kabbalah. It is the passage of the soul into higher consciousness, and the revelation that what is most essential in us cannot die.
“What good is it to me if Christ was born 2,000 years ago, and I do not also allow Him to be born in me, and rise in me?””
The resurrection is not a one-time event, it is a state of being.
Christ rises each time love conquers fear in the human heart.
After more than 50 days of journeying together through Lent, with fasting, deep reflection, sacred discipline, and soul-tending, I want to say CONGRATULATIONS. You walked with courage and sincerity. You leaned into the mystery. Whether you followed every prompt or simply carried the intention in your heart, something shifted. You allowed transformation to happen.
Easter reminds us that God is always doing something new. Even when all seems lost. Even when the silence lingers. Even when we don’t see the signs yet. Resurrection is God’s yes after the world’s no. It is the sacred assurance that nothing is ever wasted and that love always has the final word.
As we celebrate today, I’m sharing below a few videos from some of my favorite teachers to enrich this moment with their insights and joy. Let their voices nourish your spirit and help you savor the deep meaning of Easter.
I will send a final closing reflection on Monday to complete our pilgrimage together.
In the meantime, may the light of Resurrection fill your heart, your home, and your life with renewed hope, deep peace, and quiet joy.
He is Risen. We rise too.
With Easter blessings and love,
Swaady
The story (Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, and John 20)
After the agony of the crucifixion and the silence of Holy Saturday, the first day of the week dawned with quiet stillness.
Early on Sunday morning, as the sky began to brighten, Mary Magdalene, along with other women—Mary the mother of James, Joanna, and Salome—went to the tomb where Jesus had been laid. They brought spices they had prepared to anoint His body, their hearts still heavy with grief. (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1; Luke 24:1,10; John 20:1)
As they approached, they wondered aloud, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?”
(Mark 16:3). But when they arrived, they saw that the stone had already been rolled away, though it was very large.
(Matthew 28:2; Mark 16:4; Luke 24:2; John 20:1)
They entered the tomb and found that the body of the Lord Jesus was not there. (Luke 24:3; John 20:2). Suddenly, two men in dazzling white clothes appeared beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground. (Luke 24:4–5; Matthew 28:3–4)
The angels said:
“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you, while He was still in Galilee: that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, be crucified, and on the third day rise again.”
(Luke 24:5–7; Matthew 28:6)
The women remembered His words and ran to tell the disciples what they had seen. (Luke 24:8–9; Matthew 28:7–8; Mark 16:7). But the disciples thought their words were nonsense. Peter and John ran to the tomb to see for themselves.
(Luke 24:11–12; John 20:3–4)
John arrived first, but Peter went in. They found the linen burial cloths lying there—and the cloth that had been around Jesus’ head, folded neatly by itself. (John 20:5–7). They saw, but they did not fully understand. (John 20:8–9). Later that same morning, Mary Magdalene stood outside the tomb, weeping. She bent to look inside and saw the two angels still there. (John 20:11–12). They asked her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” (John 20:13). She replied, “They have taken my Lord away, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” (John 20:13). Turning around, she saw a man standing there, but she did not recognize Him. (John 20:14). He asked her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?”
(John 20:15). Thinking He was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him.” (John 20:15). Jesus said to her, “Mary.” (John 20:16). She turned and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). (John 20:16)
Jesus said, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and tell My brothers: I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.” (John 20:17). Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news:
“I have seen the Lord!” (John 20:18; Luke 24:10). Later that day, Jesus appeared to the disciples, first to two of them walking on the road to Emmaus, (Luke 24:13–32) and then in the locked room where the others had gathered in fear.(John 20:19; Luke 24:36)
He stood among them and said: “Peace be with you.” (John 20:19; Luke 24:36)
He showed them His hands and His side. He ate with them. (John 20:20; Luke 24:39–43). He breathed on them and said:
“Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:22)
The Resurrection changed everything. Jesus overcame death, not only for Himself but for all. The Risen Christ opened the way to new life—life that no longer ends in the grave, but in the fullness of God. (Romans 6:9; 1 Corinthians 15:20–22; Revelation 1:18)
