The Empty Tomb – Reflection and Discussion Questions

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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.

Small Group Reflection

We know that eventually they did overcome their fear. Disciples began to report that Jesus had risen. But it took more than one person to tell the story. The others did not believe until they heard it from several people. Break into small groups for further discussion.

  • Personal Connection: How would you have felt if you were one of Jesus’ disciples visiting the tomb and found it empty? Can you relate this feeling to any experiences in your own life where you faced disappointment or loss that turned into hope?
  • Faith and Doubt: The disciples experienced a range of emotions from despair to joy upon discovering the empty tomb. Have you ever experienced a moment in your faith journey where doubt turned into belief or hope? Share your experience.
  • The Angel’s Message: Reflect on the angel’s message, “Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here.” What does this message mean to you personally, and how does it impact your understanding of God’s love?
  • Witnessing to Others: The angel instructed the women to tell the disciples and Peter that Jesus was going ahead of them to Galilee. Why do you think it was important for them to share this news, despite their fear and amazement? How can we, as modern disciples, witness to the resurrection of Jesus in our own lives?
  • The Response of the Women: The Gospel mentions that the women fled from the tomb, “seized with trembling and bewilderment,” and initially “said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.” Why do you think they reacted this way? Have you ever felt overwhelmed or afraid after a profound spiritual experience or realization? How did you overcome those feelings?
  • Resurrection Today: How does the story of the resurrection inspire you to live out your faith today? In what ways can you bring the hope and joy of the resurrection into your family, school, or community?
  • Quiet Reflection: After hearing the resurrection story, what emotions or thoughts are you left with? Spend a few minutes in silence, reflecting on what the resurrection of Jesus means to you personally.

These questions are designed to foster deep reflection and meaningful discussion within your small groups, helping participants to connect personally with the Easter story and its significance in their lives.

Challenge

In our journey as Christians, we’re called not just to live out our faith, but also to share it with others. It’s a mission that can’t be left to a few; each one of us has a role in spreading the Good News to the world. This is crucial because, for the whole world to come to believe, they need to hear from us—ordinary people living out extraordinary faith.

This week, let’s challenge ourselves. Reach out and have a conversation about your faith with someone. But here’s the twist: try to find someone who doesn’t necessarily share your beliefs. This might seem daunting, but it’s an opportunity to grow in confidence and understanding. Approach the conversation with respect and kindness, keeping in mind that this isn’t about winning an argument. It’s about sharing the love and hope you’ve found in Jesus.

Remember, it’s not just about speaking; it’s also about listening and understanding where the other person is coming from. Your faith is a powerful part of who you are—sharing it can open doors to meaningful dialogue and deeper connections.

Prayer

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.

More Resources

Themes

Background Material

Music Suggestions

More Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections

See more resources for the Empty Tomb Guided Reflection at https://young-catholics.com/8288/the-empty-tomb-reflection-questions/