I just finished Pope Benedict’s book on Holy Week last night (early this morning actually), and his insights continue to amaze me.  Given that it’s Easter, I won’t relate the interesting points that relate to the time at the Cross, but instead I’ll leave you with another subtle thought about the Resurrection.

We know of Lazarus and others who were raised by Jesus (or the Apostles), and we tend to ‘lump together’ their resurrection with Christ’s Resurrection.  But this is not correct.  They were ‘risen’ in the same way a paramedic may restart someone’s heart today.  (Admittedly, however, Lazarus needed a ‘bit more’ than a defibrillator after spending days in the tomb.)  The point, though, is that they were brought back to a normal earthly life.  They spent some more time here on earth, and then died again naturally from some other cause.

Jesus, on the other hand, gives us a small glimpse as to our new life.  One where death does not ‘win’ ever again.  We will have power over the very laws of nature itself, and no longer be constrained to our human frailties.  We will be joined to the Father through our connection to Christ, and will ‘see his face shine upon us’ (which means we’ll see the Father’s smile).  We’ll never again know anxiety, pain, misfortune, or suffering.  All will be love…and true peace.

It is very hard to picture our glorified life, because it’s very much like trying to picture God.  Our limited, human minds simply can’t stretch that big.  But as for myself, I am confident that there is a new life waiting – a new life I can’t fully conceive of – that is so magnificent it is impossible to put into words.  Yet I tried.  Silly me…

Happy Easter.

Peace,
Greg