Greetings in the name of the Risen Christ!
May God bless you and yours during this festive season of Easter.
It’s a wild thing to think of, but a very small percentage of the population of Jerusalem would’ve even been aware of the death of Jesus. Roman records back up the Biblical account that in the year Jesus died, Pilate presided over the crucifixion of over 3,000 Jews. Most people simply lived their normal life that day and were never aware of the radical significance of Jesus’ crucifixion. He was just one name and one story among many.
Yet, here we are 2,000 years later, joining over 1,000,000,000 Catholics around the world who set aside this day and this season to celebrate the Suffering, Death and Resurrection of Jesus.
In this season, I ask us to be aware. Be aware of what we believe and whether we really believe it. Do you honestly believe that God took flesh, became one of us, suffered death and rose from the dead body and soul?
If you and I actually believe this, it should change the way we live; it should change our understanding of what is important in life. The truth of our belief in Who Jesus Is and What He Did should help us contextualize our daily lives and choices, focusing on the eternal, rather than the transitory.
Jesus’ resurrection did something for us. Jesus’ resurrection did something to us.
May we live these next few weeks of Easter well, rejoicing in the possibility of Heaven for anyone who believes and lives that belief daily.
I invite all reading this to strive to tap into that resurrection power of Jesus and truly become His followers.
May God continue to pour His love and grace into our hearts!
fjk