What if St. John was afraid of the Empty Tomb because he realized what that would truly mean? What if in that moment St. John became aware of the reality of the Resurrection? His pause may have been the instant when he first grasped the possibility that Christ had been raised from the dead. Entering the tomb and finding it empty would mean that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of the living God, and that his promises—all of his promises—would be fulfilled. The weight of that reality at once understood would give any of us pause. For St. John, it would mean that his Master was alive, Amen, a cause for rejoicing. But that overwhelming and powerful reality would also mean that St. John would no longer have any choice, he would have to follow Christ wherever He led, whatever the cost. For how could he deny the Messiah? He would have to give his life to Christ, to be—as St. Paul would later describe—“captured like prey.”
— Christopher M. Rossomondo, “The Pause”
I wonder how many times I have paused, fearful of losing my false sense of freedom, fearful of losing control, fearful of losing my life on my terms, fearful that all of “it” might just be true and all of what “that” entails. I am overwhelmed at times that the Good News seems to be too good to be true.
Jesus Christ is risen! Alleluia! I believe that in my heart. I know what the creeds and Church say this means, but to be honest, I do not know what this exactly means for me. All I can do is hold this mystery in my heart, turn it over to God, and follow…