Why Believe?

I’ve been playing with the outrageous announcement the Church proclaims everyday but especially at this time of Easter. “Jesus Christ is risen from the dead.”

The science we rely on to help us understand the physical world tells us that such an event cannot happen given the laws of nature. Surprisingly science has no objection to “resuscitation” (the return to bodily life of a corpse that was once thought dead. Lazarus, friend of Jesus, was resuscitated. Unfortunately, Lazarus would have to die again.) Science allows for that possibility.

That is not what the Church proclaims. The Church boldly announces that the whole Jesus is alive, body, mind and soul, never to die again. She declares it to be a true historical event. The resurrection is a “fact”.
So why should we believe what our senses can never verify? Actually we do it all the time . . . do you believe your spouse when she says she loves you? Is it a “fact” when your friend says, “I was there. You must not have seen me.” When the state trooper stops your car to tell you the bridge is out up ahead, is it then a fact for you?

Why do we believe something is for real when we’ve never witnessed it? Isn’t it because we know the person who’s giving us the information . . . and we trust them? When you think about it isn’t that how we come to know most things? We trust they’re telling the truth. (So Fr. John tells me he’s used all the hot water – – okay, I’ll shower later!)

Sunday after Sunday in the Easter Season the gospel tells a story of Jesus appearing to his disciples. Why should I believe them? I mean he died on the cross two thousand years ago, they buried his body like any other corpse. How can I reasonably know that Jesus is truly alive and with me?

Here’s what helps me believe:

• Most importantly, Jesus said it would happen. (Mark 9:31, Matthew 17:22, 23)
• The apostles were totally surprised by the resurrection and gained nothing but persecution by spreading the news.
• The God that is revealed by the death and resurrection of Jesus is so contrary to anything humans could ever think to cook up. (“Your God let himself be crucified?!”)
• The Church (for all its human failings) has never wavered in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead even in times of great suffering.
• The gift of Faith creates a willingness in me to submit to a truth that guides my life in a hope filled way. (Before that I had nowhere to steer my ship!)
• Over time, this Faith has provided the experience of a deeper love for God and neighbor that never would have happened otherwise.
• Faith in the resurrection has brought me into contact with people who have shown me a love and goodness that can only be compared to the love of Jesus Christ.

With these thoughts in mind . . . . I take the leap of Faith. And even this leap is caused by God’s grace. He helps us jump!

Now dear friends be ready, because once we say “yes” to the Easter message of eternal life with Christ, we “bind” ourselves to living according to his teachings.

(“Religion”: from the Latin, religare . . . to bind).

That means: loving enemies, living chastely, caring for the poor, faithful spousal love, seeking social justice, forgiveness to all who harm us, trusting God to watch over us, being there for those in need, etc.

Being just small human beings, inclined to selfishness, how will we ever live as Jesus taught? All I can say is “something happens”. Over time we get drawn out of ourselves and begin to live for God and others. And there’s a happiness unlike anything the world can deliver.

Please know that God loves you right now. Right where you are this moment. All he asks is that we surrender to that love. Let it conquer you, wash over you, free you.

Easter joy to you.

Fr. Tim