Editors Note: This is the first of a six-part series on “Experiencing the Miracle of Easter in our Lives.” The articles also include discussion questions to allow them to be used in Easter (or post-Easter) discusssion groups.
Receive the Resurrection
Every Easter we hear the words, “Jesus is risen.” And every Easter, we are quick to agree. But as familiar as these words may sound, they do not always carry the expectation and anticipation that they should. Sure we enjoy the Easter Vigil Mass, and it’s great to recall all the Old Testament history that led up to the birth of Jesus, his death, and his resurrection. But the miracle of Easter has the power to draw us deeper into the heart of the Lord. The resurrection of Christ contains within it the promise of a tangible resurrection experience of our own—an experience of renewed love, the grace to forgive, and the inspiration to live a holy life.
During this Easter season, let’s put on the mind-set of Martha’s sister, Mary, who sat at the feet of the Lord. Let’s ask Jesus to help us become more expectant. Let’s ask him to help us ponder the miracle of Easter. It is worth our time and energy. After all, Jesus’ resurrection is the greatest event in human history. And that means that Easter should be held in the highest regard.
It’s about Life and Death
Writing to the believers in Rome, St. Paul said, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). Every time we recite the Nicene Creed at Mass, we do “confess” publicly that Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead. The question now is whether we “believe in our hearts” what these words mean.
What does it mean to believe “in our hearts”? Think about how often we hear about the risks involved with a poor diet: high cholesterol, heart disease, unhealthy weight gain, and so many others. We are warned to eat right and get plenty of exercise. Some of us heed the warnings, while others do not. But these warnings take on a whole new light when we have a stroke or a heart attack. Suddenly we want to learn about healthy eating. We change our diet, begin to exercise, and encourage our friends and family members to follow our example. This little illustration shows the difference between just believing something because it makes sense and believing something in our hearts.
Our Heavenly Citizenship
Paul tells us that the most remarkable accomplishment gained through Easter is that Jesus won eternal life for us: “Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body” (Philippians 3:20-21). In other words, this world is not our home. We are foreigners in this land, and that means we should live like foreigners. We should work hard to make this world a better place, and we should cherish education and serving those in need. But this is not our ultimate goal, nor is this world our ultimate destination. We are citizens of heaven, and that’s where our hearts’ deepest desires should be.
It is this offer of heavenly citizenship that makes Easter so special. This is why Jesus came and lived among us. Out of love for us, God sent his Son to save us, “so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life” (John 3:16). The Easter message calls us to fix our eyes on heaven—always. Tragically, there are people in the world who can be more excited about finding a good bargain at a store than they can about the fact that heaven has been opened to them.
This is not to say that the more perishable goals or items that we pursue are wrong or evil in themselves. But Jesus is asking us to keep him and his kingdom in the forefront of our minds and hearts. He is asking us to place our other priorities in order behind this one. So let’s not allow these perishable goals—both the good and the bad—to take the place of honor that only Jesus deserves.
(Joe Difato is the publisher of The Word Among Us devotional magazine. Many thanks to The Word Among Us (http://www.wau.org/ ) for allowing us to use his articles from their 2009 Easter Issue. Used with permission.
Questions for Reflection/Discussion
- The first paragraph of the article contains these words: “But the miracle of Easter has the power to draw us deeper into the heart of the Lord. The resurrection of Christ contains within it the promise of a tangible resurrection experience of our own—an experience of renewed love, the grace to forgive, and the inspiration to live a holy life.” In what ways has the risen Lord allowed you to have a “resurrection experience”? In what way does it (or does not) include: “an experience of renewed love, the grace to forgive, and the inspiration to live a holy life”? How can you allow the risen Lord to have an even greater impact on your life?
- The article goes on to say that “Jesus’ resurrection is the greatest event in human history.” Do you believe this? Why or why not?
- After quoting Romans 10:9, the article says that “Every time we recite the Nicene Creed at Mass, we do ‘confess’ publicly that Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead. The question now is whether we “believe in our hearts” what these words mean.” How would you describe what these words from Romans 10:9 mean: “believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved”? If someone were to ask you if you were “saved,” how would you answer him?
- Quoting Philippians 3:20-21, the article challenges us with these words: “In other words, this world is not our home. We are foreigners in this land, and that means we should live like foreigners.” What do these words mean to you? What about these words? “We are citizens of heaven, and that’s where our hearts’ deepest desires should be.” What obstacles are there in your life that keep you from experiencing this heavenly citizenship?
- The article ends with these words: “This is not to say that the more perishable goals or items that we pursue are wrong or evil in themselves. But Jesus is asking us to keep him and his kingdom in the forefront of our minds and hearts. He is asking us to place our other priorities in order behind this one. So let’s not allow these perishable goals—both the good and the bad—to take the place of honor that only Jesus deserves.” What steps can you take individually, or as a group, to keep Jesus in the forefront of your mind and heart and give him the place of honor only he deserves?
