Resurrection

This Saturday at 6 pm, we will offer the film, Risen, which tells an interesting tale about the aftermath and resurrection of Jesus through the eyes of a Roman Tribune. I hope that you will try to join us. But I have been musing, of late, as we enter this time after the Epiphany and before the beginning of Lent: what does resurrection mean to us, as Christians? If we really believe that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, appeared to His disciples, and charged them with the sharing of the good news through Baptism, teaching, proclamation, and action…what does that mean? The latter question is part of the reason this movie is so provocative and interesting to me and I hope will be so for you.

We are in a world that is in need of resurrection, aren’t we? Resurrection doesn’t mean going back to some idyllic place that we knew before. Resurrection is transformation, a new beginning, and an awareness that nothing can ever be the same because God has overturned death itself. And when death no longer has a hold on us – death of any kind – then we are free to live. Resurrection does not empower us to cheat the end of life or to leap in front of a bus without consequence. We are still mortal. “You are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Resurrection, rather, gives us a pathway into life, connection with God, no barriers, no walls, no separation between us, God, and our fellow humans. I hope that you will spend a few minutes today musing over Jesus’ words to Martha in John’s Gospel: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life…” Christ is born. Christ has died. Christ has risen. Nothing can ever be the same. Now, we can truly live.