A few days before Easter 2014, I received a shocking request in a dream. A man unequivocally stated, “I want you to write about the resurrection.” Naturally, I was quite taken aback! What am I supposed to say when I’ve never questioned it? I wondered. But, was the expectation even real? The directive weighed on me like a term paper. I thought and thought, tried to ignore it, and hoped the obligation would go away, as in, Why me?!!
Thankfully, my teacher brain took over. Explaining the resurrection is like teaching a math concept, I realized. The concrete (seen) leads to the abstract (sensed) because the two are related.
God, invisible father, understands human nature: Seeing is believing! For people to accept that he truly exists, God had to reveal himself through Jesus, faithful emissary and real presence. Then, when Jesus vanished from the tomb after the crucifixion, he appeared to Mary Magdalene, knowing that she’d hurry to tell others about his resurrection. Afterwards, too, Jesus appeared to the apostles in hiding so that the doubting Thomas could touch his wounds and believe. Jesus had fulfilled his mission and was headed home to God, the father. Another would take his place, Jesus told them, so those in hiding understood what was about to happen: The Holy Spirit would help preserve not just our memory of Jesus, but also God’s promise of unconditional love. And, the ultimate lesson? God showed us the way home through Jesus.
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Prayerful thoughts
Glorious St. Thomas, your grief for Jesus was such that it would not let you believe he had risen unless you actually saw him and touched his wounds. But your love for Jesus was equally great, and it led you to give up your life for him. Pray for us that we may grieve for our sins, which were the cause of Christ’s sufferings. Help us to spend ourselves in his service and so earn the title of “blessed” which Jesus applied to those who believe in him without seeing him (Daily Bread).
God of heaven and earth, I pause to give you thanks for the gift of life and the promise of life everlasting. Amid the challenges of this world, help me to see the precious moments of your grace. Constantly renew my faith as I live in the power of the resurrection (Pittsburg Theological Seminary).
God was incomprehensible, inapproachable, invisible, and hard to imagine. He became man, came close to us in a manger so that we could see and understand him (St. Bernard of Clairvaux).
“Jesus revealed to us the divinity of God, making it possible for us to enter into a profound relationship with him” (Fr. Maurice Emelu).
Lord, the resurrection of your Son has given us new life and renewed hope. Help us to live as new people in pursuit of the Christian ideal. Grant us wisdom to know what we must do, the will to want to do it, the courage to undertake it, the perseverance to continue to do it, and the strength to complete it (New Saint Joseph People’s Prayer Book).
Risen One, truth-bringer, open my heart to hear your voice. May I listen deeply even when tears of sorrow moisten my heart. Erase my resistance to the surprising ways you choose to enter my life (Joyce Rupp).
“We proclaim the resurrection of Christ when his light illuminates the dark moments of our existence” (Pope Francis).
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Filed under: Divine Mercy, Easter, faith, Our Lady, prayer, Resurrection, spiritual gifts | Tagged: building community, God's master plan, overcoming adversity |
Shared thoughts... 
Without the Resurrection, there is no Christianity. Without the Resurrection, there is just another religious zealot crucified by the hierarchy of the Jews using Rome as its executioner. We are left with Good Friday and no Easter.
The Resurrection shows not only that the Son of Man, Jesus’s reference to himself, is truly the Son of God; but also that all “sons of man”— male and female, collectively— can be worthy of eternal life with God through one’s personal resurrection.
Jesus told Thomas, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). Thank you for this post. as I am among those who have not seen and yet believe.
Thank you, always, for your posted responses. Thanks, especially, for coming along on this wonderful faith journey of ours. To share the same boat is uplifting regardless of the stormy seas.