Our Christian faith proclaims something quite extraordinary. Something that science (physics, biology, astronomy, and chemistry) cannot verify or prove . . . Jesus Christ is risen from the dead.
What makes us so sure that he lives? That first Sunday saw 11 frightened apostles wondering at the women’s report that the tomb was empty. Since then Christianity has grown to number 1.2 billion people. For two thousand years there’s been this day we call Easter Sunday. We color eggs, we bake bread, we buy flowers for the dinner table . . . “Oh Christian, how do you know Christ lives?”
Each of us must look inside for this one. Why do I believe? Is it because the Pope says so? OR, because that’s just what I was taught? OR, it makes for something nice to teach the children? I hope that’s not your answer.
What brings you to church this day? Why do you believe that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead and alive and active?
May I suggest an answer? First of all, because he said this would happen. “In three days I will be raised up.” Secondly, because we have seen a love that surpasses all reason, a love so strong and pure that it could only come from a source beyond the human heart. (It’s not the love in romance, not the love of hobby or pastimes, not the love of beauty and art.)
The Easter liturgies told of an historical event. We watched a human being love like God. It’s a love never seen or imagined before. Jesus died giving witness to a God who loves us in a totally selfless way. He endured scourges and spitting, he forgave his murderers from the cross, he emptied himself totally at the will of God his Father . . . so that the invisible God’s love might become visible to us by the obedience of his Son.
And there’s more . . . we believe that Jesus is alive because countless men, women, and children have experienced the love of Christ in their own lives and have in turn given that love to their neighbor.
Have you seen it? Have you seen or felt the love of Christ working in this world? Of course you have!! These are hints of Christ’s resurrected love:
The mother who risks her own health for the health of her baby.
A soldier who’s mission puts his life at risk so that “no one is left behind.”
The friend who visits you in the hospital, the psych ward, the county jail.
A sister who forgives your unkind words.
The priest or nun who acts like Christ and makes you want to go to heaven.
The poor person who gives more to the needy than you do.
Foster parents, who save the lives of young people. Your spouse who really loves you despite all your faults.
The quiet hope that comes to you when you sit in an empty church.
The first responder who runs toward danger when all others flee.
The little child who laughs and plays with friends in a refugee camp far from her home.
We’ve been freed from ourselves because the love of Christ has satisfied our hungry heart. Now there is a new way of living. It’s a life for others.
It is a life that unites us to God by our union with His Son, Jesus Christ.
Fr. Tim
