12 Apr 2020. Cycle A-2020. Easter Sunday. Acts 10:34a, 37-43 + Col 3:1-4 or 1Cor 5:6b-8 + Jn 20:1-9 or Mt 28:1-10

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die” (Jn 11:25-26).

Three times (cf. Lk 7:11-17; 8:40-42, 49-56; Jn 11:1-44), He proved his claim by raising up dead persons back to life, even one who was already decomposing.

Moreover, He predicted He would even raise Himself up when He died (cf. Jn 2:18-22; 10:17-18). His disciples did not take His prediction seriously until they witnessed His Resurrection. 

To prove that He was indeed alive again, He appeared several times to different people (cf. 1Cor 15:5-8; Acts 10:41).

His resurrected body had flesh and bones that, unlike ghosts, could be seen and touched (cf. Lk 24:39; Jn 20:17, 27; Mt 28:9).

His resurrected body could eat and consume food and drink (cf. Lk 24:41-43; Jn 21:12-13).

His resurrected body, however, could penetrate physical barriers, and could appear and disappear at will (cf. Jn 20:19, 26; Lk 24:15, 31).

Convinced of His Resurrection, and believing He would raise them up as well, the once-cowering disciples were emboldened to face persecution and death.

Christianity spread and endured because of the faith in the resurrection (cf. 1Cor 15:12-19).

“Why are we endangering ourselves all the time? Every day I face death… I fought with beasts, so to speak, what benefit was it to me? If the dead are not raised: ‘Let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die’” (1Cor 15:30-32).

Faith in the resurrection gives hope to the survivors of the dead, that death is not the end of life, but the beginning of unending life. (cf. Rom 6:8).

Faith in the resurrection gives us hope that Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life, will raise us up to a new life after Covid-19. VSS

Picture credit: “The Resurrection” by Carl Bloch at Jacob Church, Copenhagen, Denmark