the resurrection changes everything
"God is not the God of the dead but of the living." —Luke 20:38
Of all the events of world history, only the resurrection of Jesus is celebrated weekly. For two thousand years, each Sunday, in hundreds of thousands of locations, we Christians have celebrated Jesus' resurrection from the dead. We do this because we love Jesus and because He promised to raise from the dead those who live for Him (see Jn 11:25-26).
Because we believe in the resurrection of the dead, we:
- are ready to die rather than deny our faith (2 Mc 7:2),
- are courageous, unintimidated, bold, fearless, and free (see 2 Mc 7:12),
- are full of hope (2 Mc 7:14),
- will "become like angels" and be "no longer liable to death" (Lk 20:36), and
- are sons and daughters of the resurrection (Lk 20:36).
"If Christ was not raised, your faith is worthless. You are still in your sins, and those who have fallen asleep in Christ are the deadest of the dead. If our hopes in Christ are limited to this life only, we are the most pitiable of men" (1 Cor 15:17-19). However, the fact is that Jesus is risen and He will raise from the dead us who live for Him. "Death is swallowed up in victory" (1 Cor 15:54). Alleluia forever! Jesus is risen! We will rise in Him! (see Rm 6:5) Alleluia forever!
Prayer: "May the Lord rule your hearts in the love of God and the constancy of Christ" (2 Thes 3:5).
Promise: "May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, may God our Father Who loved us and in His mercy gave us eternal consolation and hope, console your hearts and strengthen them for every good work and word." —2 Thes 2:16-17
Praise: Praise Jesus, "the Resurrection and the Life!" (Jn 11:25) We bow before You. We worship You in awe and reverence, sovereign Lord and God.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert A. Stricker, May 8, 2001
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, May 18, 2001