Reflection for Easter Prayer, delivered at St Francis of Assisi School, Tannum Sands, Qld., 2022.

"On the day of Pentecost..." (Acts 2:36). "When the Sabbath was over, Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices with which to go and anoint him... But when they looked they saw that the stone — which was very big — had already been rolled back. On entering the tomb they saw a young man in a white robe seated on the right-hand side, and they were struck with amazement. But he said to them, 'There is no need to be so amazed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified: he has risen, he is not here'..." (cf. Mk 16:1-7).

Artwork: Eastern Orthodox icon of the two Marys and Salome at the Tomb of Jesus (Kizhi, 18th century).