The saying “life can be hard”, seems to ring truer as we continue our battle with the Corona virus (COVID19) pandemic. How do we cope with the uncertainty and not give into anxiety and fear? We find the answer in the risen Jesus Christ! I wish to know Christ and the power flowing from his resurrection…(Phil3:10) Why do we wish to know Christ? Eternal life is this: to know you, the only true God, and him who you have sent, Jesus Christ.(Jn17:3)
All seemed lost to the followers of Jesus. Jesus had been crucified. We hear the story of Peter denying Jesus three times…the apostles going into hiding for fear of also being killed…and the number of people at the foot of the cross, we could count using one hand.
Jesus told Martha: I am the resurrection and the life: whoever believes in me, though he should die, will come to life; and whoever is alive and believes in me will never die. (Jn11:25-26) Like Martha, God asks us to commit ourselves in faith. Do you believe this?Yes, Lord, was Martha’s response, and so that is our response as well. Believing means that we allow the power of Christ’s resurrection to be lived out in us everyday! Jesus shares His power with us.The power of the love of Jesus Christ is far greater than anything that can make “life hard”. Jesus is always with us. Easter is about us being united with Christ in eternal glory. Jesus made this possible. We are to unite ourselves to Christ even in the times of the chaos and uncertainty. We say “no” to those things which prevent us from uniting ourselves to Him.Consequently, you too must think of yourselves as being dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus. (Rom6:11).
We celebrate today the infinite power of God’s love. Jesus Christ definitively conquered sin and death – which no longer have power over us. Through our Baptism, we are called to witness to the power of Christ’s resurrection through love. Then we experience His power now. We don’t have to wait until the end of our lives.
May the risen Christ bless us all always!
Deacon Mike
