Dear Parishioners and Visitors,
April 21, 2019
"Jesus' resurrection offers firm evidence that Jesus Christ is indeed the Son of God. He is the one who through His resurrection redeems people from their sins. We, as Christians today, following the footsteps of the apostles, are called to be witnesses to the truth of the resurrection. Our witness must be authentically rooted in the gospel, which God send s His messengers to preach. Brothers and sisters, Faith in the Resurrection of Jesus says that there is a future for every human being; the cry for unending life, which is a part of the person, is indeed answered." (Pope Benedict XVI Benedictus, 128). What makes the resurrection significant for us Christians is that the resurrection demonstrates to us the power of the true God. That God raised His son from the dead reaffirms who Jesus said he was: "The son of M an must be delivered into the hand s of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again." Jesus was raised from the dead through the power of God.
Another significant part is that the resurrection creates a pathway between heaven and earth. "O Death, where is your sting? O Hell, where is your victory? Christ is risen, and you are overthrown. Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen. Christ is risen, and the angel s rejoice. Christ is risen, and life reigns. Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in the grave. For Christ, being risen from the dead , is become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. To Him be glory and dominion unto ages of ages." (St. John Chrysostom, Easter Homily). The creation of the pathway in which I speak, is the most significant element of Christian praxis of the resurrection; it is the pathway for the new life in Christ, in service of our brothers and sisters.
St Paul affirms that Christ is "declared to be the Son of God with power ...by the resurrection from the dead ." In the waters of baptism, we died with Christ so the we may rise anew to be followers of Jesus and enjoy the fullness of Christ's resurrection. Christ as the Son of God has the authority through the resurrection to redeem us from our sins. In addition, the resurrection is significant for us Christians because it affirms everything Jesus taught to be true. The Gospel of John clearly states: "Everyone who looks to the Son of God and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." Jesus' teaching concerning his people, forgiveness, his mission, hell, and heaven are all true.
As Saint Augustine writes, " 'Resurrectio Domini, spes nostra' -the resurrection of the Lord is our hope." (Sermon 261:1). With these words, the great Bishop explained to the faithful that Jesus rose again so that we, though destined to die, should not despair, worrying that with death life is completely finished; Christ is risen to give us hope.
-fr. Peter Damian, O.P.
