Ezekiel prophesied that God's people would have a spiritual resurrection, that is, repentance and conversion (Ez 37:12ff). Jesus gave Lazarus a physical resurrection (Jn 11:44). The Father and the Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the dead not only in spirit but also in body. Jesus' resurrection was not for the resumption of His earthly life. In His resurrection, He was lifted up and glorified (see Jn 12:32), sitting enthroned at the right hand of the Father forever (Heb 10:12).

We who live and die in Christ will rise in Christ. Our resurrection will not be like that of Lazarus but like Jesus' resurrection. "If the Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, then He Who raised Christ from the dead will bring your mortal bodies to life also" (Rm 8:11). Jesus "will give a new form to this lowly body of ours and remake it according to the pattern of His glorified body, by His power to subject everything to Himself" (Phil 3:21). If we open the door of our lives and let Jesus enter, Jesus promises us: "I will give the victor the right to sit with Me on My throne, as I Myself won the victory and took My seat beside My Father on His throne" (Rv 3:21).

In two weeks, we will celebrate the first day of the fifty-day Easter season. We will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and of those baptized into Him and living that Baptism. How glorious and amazing is our resurrection in the risen Christ!

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Giles H. Pater, August 18 8, 2004

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 23, 2004