EASTER SUNDAY - THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD

This is what life is about! Mystery and uncertainty are removed from our lives with Christ’s Resurrection victory over death and sin. This is the foundation of the Church’s beliefs. We can now say: “Death, where is your sting?” In the Acts of the Apostles, Peter, an eye witness to the Risen Christ, proclaims Christ’s resurrection and the salvific effects it has for our lives and those of all who believe in Him.

The late Cardinal Avery Dulles wrote a small book titled: “Apologetics and the Biblical Christ.” The Cardinal, who himself had once been an unbeliever, reflects on the historical questions proposed by unbelievers. He acknowledges the sincerity of their doubt, but with the eyes of faith, joined to reason and logic, he writes:

“The initial proclamation of the paschal mystery represents the unanimous faith of the infant Church. It is accepted without any shadow of doubt, though it contradicted the previous expectations of the Apostles and their contemporaries. Most importantly, the witnesses of the Resurrection were totally transformed by their experience. Face to face communion with the Risen Christ fashioned them into new men. It made them slaves of the Gospel, urgently compelling them to preach the Gospel with power to the whole world.”

Neither threats nor ridicule could reduce the Apostles to silence. Their faith and the proclamation of the infant Church is the result of their life with Christ before His death and their meeting Him after His death. From that day on, they were willing to proclaim the Gospel in the face of suffering and martyrdom. Today, we can proclaim: “This is the Day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad.”

Christ has risen!