The tomb of Jesus is open and it is empty!

You may have noticed the addition of sacred art to the cover of our bulletin. Each image is carefully selected to reflect the Sunday readings and the rhythm of the liturgical season. Our hope is that these visuals help draw you more deeply into the mysteries the Church invites us to contemplate through the lectionary.

In the Catholic tradition, art has long served as a window into divine truth—educating the mind and lifting the heart toward God. Sacred images invite us into stillness and contemplation, opening our hearts to the gentle voice of God speaking through beauty.

While space doesn’t allow for a full reflection each week, we’ll occasionally offer insights into the featured artwork. Each piece is rich in symbolism, and a brief search of the title and artist (listed on the cover) can lead you further.

Painted when Raphael was just sixteen, The Resurrection of Christ is a striking image of theological depth. Jesus hovers in peace above his tomb, clothed in a regal garment trimmed with gold to signify his divinity. Yet his visible wounds proclaim his humanity. In his hand, he carries a white flag with a red cross—an ancient symbol of his victory over death.

Notably, Raphael depicts the tomb not as a cave but as a stone sarcophagus—a word which literally translates to “flesh eater.” Its resemblance to an altar is striking, especially with the central curved feature on the lid that suggests a pedestal. These details invite us to see a connection between Christ’s Resurrection and the Eucharist, where the host is elevated above the altar and offered to the gaze of the faithful, just as Christ is here lifted above the “altar” of his tomb—our first glimpse of the glory that awaits humanity in him.

Please pray for me and know of my prayers for you as we enter this joyful season.  He is risen indeed!

-Fr. Thomas Kennell