the ultimate credibility
"Many of His disciples remarked, 'This sort of talk is hard to endure! How can anyone take it seriously?' " —John 6:60
When a person rises from the dead, we tend to take his words more seriously. We may believe things which he says that we don't understand or don't agree with, just because a person risen from the grave has authority and credibility. When a person rises from the dead, we believe they know what they are talking about.
Jesus has risen from the dead. We celebrate it for fifty days in this Easter season, and we celebrate it forever. Because Jesus is risen, we believe everything He says. If He says what looks like bread and wine has become His body and blood, then it's His body and blood. If the risen Jesus tells us to raise the dead (Mt 10:8), then, like Peter, we'll stare a dead person in the face and command her to stand up (Acts 9:40). When she stands up, we'll be thankful but not surprised. After Jesus' resurrection, anything other than His second coming is anti-climactic.
Because Jesus is risen from the dead, His words are not the same as those of other people. The words He speaks to us are "spirit and life" (Jn 6:63). He has "the words of eternal life" (Jn 6:68).
Prayer: Father, may I tremble at the words of Your Son (see Is 66:2).
Promise: "The Church was at peace. It was being built up and was making steady progress in the fear of the Lord; at the same time it enjoyed the increased consolation of the Holy Spirit." —Acts 9:31
Praise: St. Fidelis lost his life trying to bring peace and reconciliation to those estranged from the Church.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our leaflet, Risen Life, or our audio tapes AV 4A-1, AV 4A-3, AV 4B-1, AV 4B-3 or video V-4A, V-4B.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 9, 2009
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.