Verbum
In Matthew 28:6 an Angel begins his announcement of the Resurrection of Christ to Mary Magdalene with three simple words: Non Est Hic (οὐκ ἔστιν ὧδε). The three simplest words in the Latin language proclaim the great miracle of the empty tomb and Christ’s defeat of death.
St. Peter Chrysologus reads the passage thus: “For their faith had been bowed by the cruel storm of His Passion, so that they sought Him yet as crucified and dead; I know that ye seek Jesus which was crucified; the weight of the trial had bent them to look for the Lord of heaven in the tomb, but, He is not here.”
No man witnessed the resurrection. It is revealed by the empty tomb, the one moment when Christ’s absence is cause for celebration, and then by the appearance of the risen Lord.
Christ is Risen, Alleluia!
