As we saw a couple weeks ago, John’s resurrection narrative stresses (as does Paul in 1 Corinthians 15 and Luke in the Damascus road event in Acts 9:5) that Jesus Christ raised from the dead continues to be present and active in our own lives and experiences — alive in the Christian community itself, and in the community’s actions of preaching the Word, celebrating Eucharist, and Ministering to the needy. Jesus no longer has a fleshly mortal, historical body.
Life is changed but not taken away, as Paul stressed in First Corinthians: “But whenever this perishable body puts on incorruptibility and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death is swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting.” (1 Corinthians 15:54)
Christian spirituality is an ongoing exploration of the existential meaning of Jesus’ promise: “I will not leave you orphans. I am coming to you.Yet a little while and the world sees me no longer, but you see me, for because I live you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in the Father, and you in me, and I in you.” (John 14: 18-20
That spirituality of course delineates genuine Christian behavior. Genuine followers of Christ are not self-righteous users and abusers of other people.They do not denigrate “others” because, for example, they are women, or Jews, or people of color, or people with LGBTQ identities. They do not create scapegoats and normalize prejudices that stimulate inhumane violence.
Yes. The Easter message is our consolation. But it is also our challenge.
Thank you for traveling with me in Lent 2023 and HAPPY EASTER!
- Jack
PS For a couple weeks, I will be away from my computer for some Easter R&R.
Thank you for your wisdom, guidance and compassion and for delineating “genuine Christianity” from all the hypocrisy! Happy Easter to you and yours and we all look forward to your return.
Many thanks Betty!
Happy Easter!
Jack
Thank you, Jack! Easter blessings to you and yours.
And to you as well!
Easter wishes!
Jack
Dear Jack,
May you, Joske, and Brian have a blessed and beautiful Easter.
Peace,
Frank
Many thanks Frank. Happy Easter wishes for you, Jonny, and your family. My very warmest regards. Joske and I still remember your visit this past summer when we were in Grand Rapids.
Jack
There is no more important feast than Easter in the Eastern European tradition. If I learned anything from my youth with my Grandmother and Mother, Easter demands attention far beyond Christmas or any other religious observance. From my Grandmother’s understanding of her Faith, the promise of reunion in Eternal Life was the best of Jesus and certainly what sustained her through the loss of her husband and oldest son. She lived more than 20 years after their deaths, but her’s was a sure and certain hope that she would be reunited with them and the rest of her family. Without the ability to read or write, she was faithful until the transition and I’m sure she awaits our joining her in this eternal reward. Hopefully I will be able to tell her that I never did anything to shame the family name, the promise she asked when I was 8 and praying for my Grandfather after Sunday Mass in the parish cemetery.
Many thanks Joe.
Warmest Easter regards
Jack
Rest well. Grateful for your ongoing ministry to us. Happy Easter.
Many thanks Anthony.
Happy Easter!
Jack