The Resurrection of the Lord
By Fr. Adam Laski
“Christ, who only is sinless, reconciles sinners to the Father. Death and life have contended in that combat stupendous: The Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal.” (Easter Sequence, Victimae Paschali Laudes). This Easter Sequence is an ancient expression of the Church’s worship during the Easter Octave.
This Triduum of the past three days is spiritual combat. Christ Jesus leaving his body and blood to his disciples at the last supper, his death on the cross, and the power of his resurrection from the dead.
Have you ever had to grapple with really bad news?
For example: A bad diagnosis, a death announcement, or a family’s broken past?
The crowds and onlookers on good Friday, saw the death of the messiah. The one who brought so much hope to his followers. The followers of Jesus have been through the ringer… The utter destruction of the body of Christ on the cross on Good Friday. As they waited at the tomb, some began to sink into disbelief.
The exhaustion of the disciples expresses a poverty to make their circumstances better. Some sit around weeping at the tomb. Peter walked away and denied Jesus. Others go back to their homes utterly confounded and downcast. They have just heard the worst news in history. Jesus was dead.
They pour out their fears on the road to Emmaus to a concerned stranger, prevented from seeing Jesus’ presence in their fear and disbelief. They say sadly “…we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel…” Jesus himself gives them the good news of the resurrection: “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His glory?”
Jesus has risen over death. This news is the best in human history, and consoles us in the worst of our sorrows.