In Connecticut, one of my older classmates took delight in asking younger seminarians what was the most important feast in the Catholic Church. If they replied Christmas, he would look at them as if he were deeply shocked.
Then like a seminary professor, which he was not, he would patiently explain that it was the Resurrection of Jesus!
Christ brings hope
In 1 Corinthians 15:14-15 it says, “If Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith is in vain.” Christ was born to bring us hope, to die on the cross and redeem us from our sins which keep us from loving, to rise from the dead and offer us Eternal Life.
On Easter morning, when the apostles heard from the women that Jesus rose from the dead, they were slow to believe. In no. 657 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, it says, “The empty tomb and the linen cloths lying by themselves signify that by God’s power Christ’s body had escaped death and corruption.”
The appearances of the Risen Lord, the change in the apostles and other followers, strengthened Jesus’ followers to believe that Jesus rose from the dead.
Theologian Wolfert Pannenberg wrote, “The evidence for Jesus’ resurrection is so strong that nobody would question it, except, first it is a very unusual event! Second, if we believe it, we have to change the way we live!” This takes graced effort, but the benefits are Heavenly!
Courageous witnesses
When they encountered the Risen Lord and received the Holy Spirit, the apostles and other followers who deserted Christ at the cross were changed into courageous witnesses who helped to spread the Gospel “to the ends of the earth.’’ Eleven of the twelve apostles died for Christ. God miraculously preserved John so he could care for Mary, a widow.
In 1 Corinthians 15:55, Paul shouts triumphantly, “Where O death is your victory? Where O death, is your sting?” Easter offers hope to believers to start again after tragedy. Baptized believers believe that Christ’s rainbow of hope shines in good times and bad.
In no. 1002 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, it says that Christ will raise us up “on the last day”; but it is also true that, in a certain way by virtue of the Holy Spirit, Christian life is already on earth a participation in Christ’s death and resurrection.
On January 6, 2006, 12 miners died from carbon monoxide poisoning in a West Virginia mine. One of them wrote a note, “Tell all I will see them on the other side.” This miner had hope of Heaven.
Our incorporation into Christ’s death and Resurrection is brought about through Baptism, the Easter sacrament. During the Easter vigil, catechumens are Baptized and we, already Baptized, are invited to renew our Baptismal promises.
In John 6:54, Jesus says, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and I will raise them up on the last day.”
How families can pass on the faith
Families can help us to live our Easter faith. In a family, we can reflect upon the differences between secular Easter and Easter’s true Christian meaning. Families can attend Mass together and, if possible, Holy Week services.
During the Easter season, they can briefly share what it means that Jesus died and rose for us. Also, family members can read Bible passages about Jesus’ Resurrection.
Families can participate in Easter egg hunts. Some plastic eggs can contain candy while others have cards that describe the Resurrection.
These can be discussed or reflected upon. Family members can exchange Easter gifts. The Catholic teaching Sisters were experts at this. It could be a medal, holy card or emblem, or a storybook or video of Bible stories or religious stories for youth.
Families can also invite the elderly or homeless for Easter dinner. Children who are capable can be ministers of hospitality. Family members can ask the Holy Spirit to inspire their imaginations with other creative ways to celebrate the true meaning of Easter.
Family members can remind each other that Jesus is the reason not only for the Christmas season, but also for Easter! The Easter season lasts longer than the Christmas season.
May the Easter season open us to being evangelized to deeper faith so we can share Christ with others at home, work, or wherever we are! To give the Risen Jesus away, he must be in our minds and hearts, for we cannot give what we do not have! Let us keep him there now and forever!
Fr. Donald Lange is a pastor emeritus for the Diocese of Madison.