Stone Roll Challenge

Facilitator instructions:
This game is meant to get everyone moving, laughing, and ready to engage with the lesson. You will need one large lightweight ball (like an exercise ball or beach ball) for every 6–8 players. Mark a starting line and a “tomb entrance” line about 10–15 feet away. Divide the group into teams. Each team’s job is to “roll the stone away” by moving their ball from the starting line to the tomb entrance using only their elbows. No hands allowed! Once they reach the line, they roll it back the same way. Each person takes a turn until all have gone. First team to finish wins.

After the game, ask a few quick follow-up questions:

• How did it feel trying to move something big in a silly way?
• What made it easier or harder to move the “stone”?
• Did you work better alone or when your team encouraged you?

That was fun to watch and play! We laughed and worked together, but we also learned something. In the game, we faced something that felt bigger than us, and we had to find a way to move it. That’s a little like what the women in our Bible story faced. They wondered how they would roll away a very heavy stone from the tomb.

When they got there, they found the stone already rolled away. It was a surprise, and it made them curious about what happened next. Just like in our game, when the obstacle was gone, there was more to discover. For them, what they found inside the tomb changed everything.

In a moment, we’re going to hear the story of that morning. I want you to imagine you are there. You’ve seen Jesus die. You’ve lost hope. Now you are walking toward the tomb, wondering what you will find. Let’s listen closely and see what this moment has to say to us today.

Imagine you are one of the disciples of Jesus. You had followed him for three years and had been energized by his message. You had been filled with joy at his explanation of God as a loving Father. And you had believed that the kingdom of God could be real. And you even thought he might be the Messiah.

But then it all fell apart. Jesus had been arrested and executed like a common criminal. God had not saved him after all. Your hope turned into despair.

When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go and anoint him.

Some of the women are going to the tomb to complete the burial ritual. They invite you along. You hesitate. What if the officials start coming after Jesus’ followers also?

The morning air is cool. You put on your jacket and pull the hood over your head. That way nobody will recognize you if there is trouble.

You help carry the spices. They smell good. But they are the spices used for burial, so they also remind you that Jesus is gone. You start to get emotional, but you try not to think about it. It would be best just to focus on this task and get it done quickly.

Very early when the sun had risen, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb.

What a beautiful sunrise! The earth seems so alive this morning. The sky is a vibrant pink and orange. The grass is a bright green. You have a memory of sitting on a hillside on a beautiful day, soaking in Jesus’ words. But that will not happen again.

How can this be such a lovely morning? It is like the earth doesn’t know that Jesus has died. It seems so alive. But you feel nothing but emptiness.

They were saying to one another, “Who will roll back the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?”

You are getting closer. The tomb is just around the corner and you still don’t know how you will get it. A huge stone has been rolled in front of the door. Maybe if you all push on it, you can move it just enough to squeeze in. But that doesn’t seem likely.

When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back; it was very large.”

This is a mystery. Who moved the stone? It is not just moved a little. It is all the way to the side. It must have taken at least half a dozen strong men to do it. But who has been here? Why would somebody else have gone into the tomb?

On entering the tomb they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe, and they were utterly amazed. 

You are stunned! Jesus’ body is not here. The strips of linen which had wrapped the body were neatly folded up.

And the young man is just sitting there, as if he had been waiting for you. He wearing a bright white robe which doesn’t have a spot on it, even though the empty tomb is dusty. And the man himself almost seems to shine.

It as if he embodies the “aliveness” of the beautiful morning outside. He shines like the sun. You’ve heard of angels. Could he be one? And what does that mean? How are you supposed to act in the presence of someone so otherworldly?

He said to them, “Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Behold the place where they laid him.

But you are amazed! Jesus had spoken of resurrection, but that just seemed like a fantasy.

But you are sure now that this is an angel speaking to you. And he is right. Jesus is not here.

Could it be true? You saw him die. And it was such a brutal, ugly death. But through it all, Jesus never stopped trusting in the love of the Father.

You cry tears of joy at just the hope that Jesus is alive.

But go and tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.’”

This is where the gospel which is read at the Easter Vigil Mass ends. But there is one more, very surprising, verse:

Then they went out and fled from the tomb, seized with trembling and bewilderment. They said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Spend a few minutes in quiet prayer at this point.

When breaking into small groups, remind everyone that this is a safe place to share. Encourage participants to listen with respect and without interrupting. Remind them that it is okay to pass if they do not feel ready to speak. The goal is to help each other grow in faith by talking about personal thoughts and experiences related to the story of the empty tomb. Allow time for each person to answer, and thank them for what they share.

• How do you think the women felt when they saw the stone rolled away before they knew Jesus had risen?
• Can you think of a time when you were surprised by something God was doing in your life?
• Why do you think God chose women to be the first witnesses of the resurrection?
• How can the joy of Easter help you face a hard situation in your life right now?
• If you were asked to tell a friend about the resurrection, what words or actions would you use?
• What do you think it means for Jesus to go ahead of us, like the angel said He would in Galilee?
• How can we show others that the resurrection matters in the way we live each day?

As followers of Jesus, we are called to live our faith and to share it with others. This is something we all can do. It is not just for leaders or certain people. The world needs to hear about Jesus from everyday people like us.

This week, I want you to try something. Have a real conversation about your faith with someone. Try to choose someone who may not believe the same way you do. This might feel a little scary, but it is a good way to grow and learn.

When you talk, be kind and respectful. This is not about winning an argument. It is about sharing the love and hope you have found in Jesus.

And remember, talking about your faith is not just about speaking. It is also about listening. Listen to what the other person says and try to understand them. Your faith is part of who you are. Sharing it can help you build stronger and more caring connections with others.

Close with this or a similar prayer:

Loving Father, we thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus, whose resurrection from the empty tomb brings us hope, joy, and the promise of new life.

Help us to carry the message of His love and light into the world, especially to those who have not yet come to know Him. Grant us the courage to share our faith, the wisdom to speak with kindness and respect, and the humility to listen and learn from those around us.

May our hearts always reflect Your love, and may our lives be a testament to the power of Your grace. Guide us as we go forth, to be bearers of Your Good News in our world. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Themes for the Empty Tomb Reflection

• Despair and Hope: The reflection delves into the disciples’ initial despair and sorrow following Jesus’ death, juxtaposed with the transformative hope that arises when they encounter the empty tomb, realizing the possibility of resurrection and eternal life.
• Resurrection and Faith: At the core of the reflection lies the profound theme of resurrection, where the discovery of the empty tomb solidifies the disciples’ faith in Jesus as the risen Messiah, reinforcing their belief in God’s power over death.
• Emptiness and Fullness: The stark emptiness experienced by the disciples upon Jesus’ death is contrasted with the overwhelming sense of fullness and joy they encounter as they come face-to-face with the empty tomb, realizing that death has been conquered.
• Overcoming Fear: The initial fear and bewilderment of the disciples when encountering the empty tomb give way to courage and conviction as they gradually overcome their apprehensions and share the Good News with others.
• Angel as Messenger: The presence of the angel at the empty tomb serves as a celestial messenger, bringing assurance, comfort, and guidance to the disciples, emphasizing the supernatural nature of the resurrection event.
• Faith Sharing and Evangelism: The reflection underscores the essential role of faith sharing and evangelism, stressing that it is the disciples’ responsibility to spread the transformative message of the empty tomb to the world.
• Transformation: The encounter with the empty tomb marks a profound transformation in the disciples’ emotions and outlook, as they transition from grief to hope and from fear to courage, becoming witnesses of Christ’s resurrection and eternal life.

Background Material for the Empty Tomb Reflection

In the heart of the Easter season, we turn our gaze to the pivotal event that forms the bedrock of our Christian faith—the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The New Testament’s Gospel of Mark recounts the powerful moment when the faithful women, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, approach the tomb where Jesus had been laid. Little did they know that this encounter with the empty tomb would forever change the course of history and ignite the flame of hope in the hearts of believers.

In Mark 16:1-8, we witness the scene as these devoted followers, after the Sabbath, bring spices to anoint the body of their beloved Lord. Their hearts heavy with grief and uncertainties, they wonder who will move the large stone barring the tomb’s entrance. It is in this moment of vulnerability and questioning that they experience a revelation that surpasses all human understanding—the stone has been rolled back, and the tomb is empty.

The empty tomb stands as a sacred threshold between death and life, darkness and light, despair and hope. As the women entered the tomb, they were met with a sight that left them utterly amazed—a young man clothed in a white robe, the angelic messenger, who proclaimed the astonishing truth: “He is not here; He has risen!” (Mark 16:6).

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (Paragraph 641) sheds further light on this encounter, recognizing the significance of the women being the first to encounter the Risen One. Their faithful presence at the tomb made them the heralds of Christ’s Resurrection to the apostles themselves. From Mary Magdalene to the holy women, their encounter with the empty tomb marks the dawning of a new era—a time of grace, redemption, and divine love.

Pope Francis, in his inspiring Homily on Easter Vigil 2019, beautifully expounds on the profound significance of the empty tomb during the Easter Vigil Mass. He emphasizes that the resurrection brings a message of hope and joy to our lives, reminding us that Christ’s love and transformational power are present even in the darkest moments.

For Catholic youth, the empty tomb is more than a historical event; it is an invitation to encounter the living Christ. This encounter offers us hope beyond human comprehension, a hope that banishes all fears and doubts, a hope that assures us of our salvation through Christ’s Resurrection.

In our journey of faith, the empty tomb beckons us to embrace this profound mystery with open hearts and minds. Let us approach it with the same wonder and awe that Mary Magdalene and the women did on that momentous morning. Just as the disciples received the Good News from the women, we too are called to be messengers of Christ’s Resurrection to the world—heralds of hope, love, and divine transformation.

Let the empty tomb be a constant reminder that Christ’s victory over death is our victory. As we encounter the risen Christ in our lives, may His love and grace transform us from within, renewing our hearts and empowering us to be bearers of His light to a world longing for hope and salvation. Embrace the empty tomb as a sign of God’s unfathomable love for you, and let this love overflow to all those you encounter on your journey of faith.

Music Suggestions

• Because He Lives
• Alleluia! Love Is Alive
• Song at the Empty Tomb
• In Christ Alone
• Living Hope