ALLELUIA!!!
"WHAT GOOD WOULD LIFE HAD BEEN TO US IF CHRIST HAD NOT COME AS OUR REDEEMER?"
- Easter Exultet
This season we proclaim the new life that Christ has gained for us through his paschal
mystery. Christ, not chained by the power of death rolled away the sin and rolled in
glory. Imagine the faces of the women upon seeing Christ that next morning, carrying
spices to sprinkle on what they expected to be a reeking corpse. Imagine the joyful
embarrassment of Thomas as he stuck his fingers in Christ�s scabby side. Imagine the
courage and awe given to Peter upon being forgiven of his denial and sent to shepherd
the church of Christ. Just begin to Imagine the glorious feeling of heaven when we too
experience the Resurrection on the Last Day. This is a big deal.
We cannot forget the words of Paul to the Romans: �Do you not know that you who
have been baptized in Christ�s death have also been Baptized into his resurrection?� By
our common baptism, even if it happened many years ago as a child, we are gifted with
Sanctifying grace, and enter into a mystic life united with the Trinity. Grace is a sharing
in the life of God. By doing so we not only share in the sacrifice of the cross, we also
share in the Resurrection. The Death and Resurrection of Christ give new meaning to
giving and sacrifice. It brings freedom through obedience, power through self-denial,
receiving through giving and new life in places where only death can be seen. This
wondrous sharing in the mystery of the Trinity bring every Christian to great Joy and
Freedom.
It is this Liberation, the Liberation from sin, Satan and the world, that so many of us
have lost. We are afraid to surrender in order to receive. We want to embrace the
resurrection, but are too scared to endure the cross. Yet one cannot have one without
another. It is this life so many people lack. We wonder why so many people in the
church are dead, weak and unlively. Is it because the church is out of date? God has not
date. Is it because we are too strict and rigorous in our disciplines? Nothing is as
rigourous as Christ�s passion. Or is it because we do not want to approach the throne of
Glory and receive the living rivers of grace in our soul? Then we must turn to the
resurection.
It is the loss of grace, the loss of connection with God that has made our spiritual lives
so weak. We must return to God in prayer, faith, the sacraments and the many forms of
ministry. What did the disciples do after Christ�s Accession? They boldly preached the
gospel to the world, baptizing men and founding a church. If we too, are connected to
the risen Lord, we will be filled with the Holy Spirit, and a desire to go forth and build
the reign of Christ on Earth.
If the church is to be renewed, it must return to God. It must return to holiness. It must
return to the risen Christ. It must be open to His life and His power. Only when we
become fully united to our head can we truly live this great life given to us. When this
happens we can hear his message:
�Peace be with You. As the Father Sent me, so I send you.� Jn 20:21
Strengthened in Christ�s peace, we are called to do Christ�s work. Yet Christ does not
leave us orphaned. It is by the Resurrection that the fullness of the God grace is
unleashed upon all Christians and renews the world. As the next word follow: �Receive
the Holy Spirit.�
Need I say more? Follow the words of the risen Christ and prepare for marvels.
Jason Kuntz
April 22, 2000
Easter Vigil
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