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.

Yet, sometimes in life we catch a glimpse of the real miracle and wonder of Resurrection. These are times of grace, and I would like to share my personal experience of Resurrection these past few weeks.

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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