Real-life Resurrection
It’s not easy for us to grasp the
reality of Christ’s Resurrection. None of us has ever witnessed a dead person
come to life again. We must use our imaginations in order to try and understand
what it was like for his family and friends to see him fully alive again in
person and sharing meals and conversations with them.
For 23 years I have ministered to people in prison
through correspondence and offering them a loyal friendship. Exactly one month
ago, one of my friends learned that a judge had granted his release. He has
been decades in prison and has worked hard to improve himself in that time. Now
he is a new man with a future ahead of him as he re-joins society. He has paid
the price and done his time and now it is time for him to live a new life of
Resurrection!
When I head the news of his release, I understood what
it was like for Martha and Mary and their friends outside the tomb at Bethany
when Jesus c
alled: “Lazarus, come out” and then “Unbind him, let him go free”.
It is an amazing feeling of new hope, new life, joy and celebration!
My friend may experience challenges and prejudice as
an “ex-prisoner” but my dream and hope for him is that enough Christian people
will hear those words of Jesus and unbind him from the past and let him be
truly free, truly Resurrected. This is what we are called to do as Easter
people, to support and encourage each other to change and grow into the
fullness of life.
We are an Easter people and Alleluia is
our song!
(St
John Paul II, paraphrasing St Augustine).
Image: pixabay.com
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