Going to the Garden

The painting above is a lovely representation of a real garden. It is full of peace, tranquility and harmony. Scripture scholars tell us that it was important that Jesus was buried in a garden, so that he could also resurrect in a garden, The reason it needed to take place in a garden goes beyond just the appearance of beautiful flowers and shade, however. There is a direct correlation between the first garden, the Garden of Eden, where the original sin and the rupturing of the relationship with God took place, and the second garden, where restoration and resurrection take place.  Jesus, as the New Adam, takes away the sin that ocurred in the Garden of Eden, "O necessary sin!" as we sing at the Easter Vigil Mass, and replaces the covenant made with Adam with the New and Eternal Covenant of his body and blood. The old world of sin and hopelessness gives way to the new world of restoration and fruitfulness. 

As we journey through the Easter season, let us imitate Mary Magdalene and go into the garden in search of Jesus. Like Mary, we will no longer see Jesus in the same light as before the resurrection. Now, we look for him sacramentally.  We have to look for him in other people, as Mary did. But let us also just pause in the garden and reflect on the joyful events of Easter, so that we don't miss marking "the things that have taken place in these days" (Luke 24:18) and carry on as though nothing has happened. 

---