Easter is a time of celebration, a time when we commemorate the greatest event in human history: the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. This miraculous occurrence is not just a historical fact, but a profound message of new life for all of humanity. 

The story of Jesus’ Resurrection is familiar to most, yet its impact never diminishes. On the third day after his Crucifixion, Jesus rose from the dead, triumphant over the grave. This victory over death is not just a testament to His divine power, but a promise of new life for all who follow Him. Through His Resurrection, Jesus offers us the opportunity to experience our own personal Resurrection, to be raised to new life in Him.  

And so, the Resurrection holds a dual significance that touches every corner of our existence. On the one hand, we marvel at the miracle of Jesus’ return to life, a glorious defiance of mortality that promises hope eternal. On the other hand, we find a deeply personal call to awaken our spirits to new life, to rise above the shadows that life sometimes casts upon us. 

As spring blossoms around us, we are reminded of the parallel between the renewal of nature and the renewal of the human soul. Just as the dormant earth awakens to new life, so too can our hearts be awakened to the new life of the Resurrection. It can rescue us from a world that is often overwhelmed by despair and hopelessness. We all face challenges and obstacles that can leave us feeling trapped and without a way forward. Whether it’s a dead-end job, a struggling relationship, or a sense of disillusionment with life itself, we all experience moments when we need to be resurrected.  

The good news is that, just as Jesus rose from the dead, we too can experience a personal resurrection through His grace. The Apostles themselves were no strangers to this transformative power. St. Peter, who denied Christ three times, found new life through the risen Lord. St. Thomas, who doubted the Resurrection, had his faith restored when he encountered the Risen Christ. These stories remind us that no matter how far we may feel estranged from God, His redeeming love is always there to raise us up.   

The Resurrection is not just a historical event, but a present reality. When we open our hearts to the power of Christ’s love, we allow him to work in us and through us, bringing new life to even the darkest of situations. The Resurrection is the Good News of the gospel which is stronger than death itself.  

There is an amusing story of a child passing a store window and stopping to admire a crucifix. A man, passing by and seeing him, asked what he was smiling at. The child said he was admiring the crucifix for it reminded him that Christ died for our sins. The man remarked, “that sounds depressing” and started to walk away. The child then ran after him and exclaimed, “But Mister, He didn’t stay dead. He came back to life!” The story of the child and the crucifix reminds us of an enduring truth that transcends sorrow, illustrating the boundless joy of Jesus’ triumph over death, inviting us to embrace the promise of new life. This is the hope that we cling to, the hope that no matter what challenges we face, God’s power to impart new life is always greater.  

As the psalmist declared, “This is the day the Lord has made” (Psalm 118:24). Let us embrace this day and every day of our lives as a gift from God, an opportunity to experience the new life that Christ has won for us. 

—Fr. Hugh Duffy, Ph.D.