Resurrection means so many things. It means Christ Jesus lives. It means the creative healing power of God endures beyond the grave. Christ Jesus lives beyond the suffering and death inflicted upon him. That pain was inflicted by Militarists who believe violence is a saving act and that they have the right to inflict it. In Jesus’ Resurrection all humanity is saved from such a deadly belief system. We’re saved from those who practice it in God’s name. The Resurrection means that God, the name used to describe the power bringing the world into being, does not sanction violence and death but rather healing and life. It also means God is not the epitome of static perfection either. The Resurrection confirms divinity’s truly dynamic nature – an ever renewing transforming nature which Jesus gave witness to throughout his life.
The nature of God has always been dynamic. Divinity’s dynamic nature begins with a dynamic creation, always changing, always evolving. In Jesus we recognize a dynamic incarnation of God. God lives within the created world and all creatures. That dynamic is evident when Jesus says: “I am the bread of life.” (John 6:35, 48) “I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12) “I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25) “I am the vine.” (John 15:5) Intimately connected to the created world Jesus gave witness to a vibrant energy as the power of God. Such energy reaches into the grave and continues to draw forth life. Thus the Resurrection is a continuation of divinity’s dynamic nature. God’s power is an animating and vital dynamic, flowing from a loving essence, and growing as an attractive, playful, life-giving Spirit. Such a power is able to transform even death and those people intent upon inflicting it.
We are, like Jesus, born into a physical world forever evolving, forever giving itself over to life so that others may live on. In the Resurrection we are, like Jesus, the Body of Christ, born anew, also evolving, also giving ourselves over to life so that others may live on.
Prayer: Giver of Life, I give myself over to life this day and all days.
Question: In what ways do I give myself over to life and what are the conversions from death I need to make?
March 31, 2013 Gospel John 20:1-9 Easter