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April 14, 2024The resurrection reaffirms the faith and makes us witnesses. There is a contrast as usual in how to live life while in this world. In the first reading, it mentions we can live in ignorance with many betrayals. Betraying the Author of Life and deny Him before others by not acknowledging Him before others. Betraying Him as well in the brothers and sisters when not defending innocent people and allowing them to be persecuted even when others want to intervene to help them. And lastly betraying Him when continuing to live in sin and not following his commandments. Saying one thing and doing another makes us liars as well. These are forms of betrayal. The turning point of a human person is when the resurrection is accepted.
There are many proofs of the resurrection the gospel writers put down based on the experience of the apostles. Jesus rose from the dead to rise up along with Him through baptism. Jesus was not a ghost. He let himself be touched to prove He had flesh and bones. He ate although He had no need of it since His body was gloriously transformed. He did it because He wanted to show the physicality of His resurrection. Once we accept His resurrection then faith requires us to accept our own resurrection; and once we accept our own resurrection, we know we have to live a better life because our actions while in this world have consequences for eternal life in a resurrected state. There are signs when the resurrection has taken a hold of a human life. The first is to become a witness. This word is very important and it is mentioned twice in the readings. We are called to be living
witnesses of the resurrected Christ by the manner we live our lives but also by spreading the Good News by word of mouth. Once the doubt of the resurrection is dispelled then another sign starts to appear and is joy. Joy in knowing this earthly reality is not the end of all reality but now the heaven reality is the final reality awaiting for those who turn their lives and repent. We will live forever in a glorious transformed body, let's not forget this. We should be jumping for joy. Yes, living forever and ever in the presence of God. So when there are downcast, disillusioned people who are just going through the motions of everyday life (since they are lacking joy and faith in the resurrection) to those witnessing is necessary for their repentance and conversion. Lastly putting these two signs together the fullness of a person living with the
resurrection is being a joyful witness. Yes, sometimes there will be questions. Yes, sometimes there will be incredulity but in the end this Good News will overwhelm and impel to announce to others with joy, "He is risen! And it makes all the difference." As we are in the season of Easter may we have faith in the
resurrection of Christ so to no longer live in ignorance and sin but be His joyous witnesses of his resurrection starting from our neighborhood and then to all the nations!
