Our lives should be living proof of the resurrection

The great spiritual writer, Thomas Merton, once said, “We are called not only to believe that Christ once rose from the dead, thereby proving that he was God. We are called to experience that Resurrection in our own lives by entering into this dynamic movement, by following Christ who lives in us.”

God did not become a human being in Jesus for just a little while and then return to heaven. God entered human existence and stayed. That is what the resurrection is all about. Jesus not only rose from the dead two thousand years ago, but also, more importantly, he rose from the dead and stayed living within his disciples, and now he lives within us today.

The proof that Jesus is risen is not the empty tomb. It is rather the life of the disciple filled with evidence of his living presence. That is a life that Christ has transformed so we can all become more Christlike. It is the life that has the same mind as Jesus, the same attitude of love, compassion, forgiveness, generosity and humble service. Thus, we make Christ’s risen presence known by the holiness and commitment of our lives. As St. Paul said, “Now I live, no, not I, but Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:20).

The death and resurrection of Jesus unleash their power within us through the sacrament of Baptism. In the waters of Baptism, we die and rise with Christ. We descend with Christ into the tomb of water and die to our old sinful self and rise with him to new life.

In many churches the congregation renews its Baptismal promises and is sprinkled with Easter water to symbolize Christ’s presence living within us.

In renewing our Baptismal promises we are renewing our commitment to allow his peace and love to reign in our hearts and lives.

Consider the many ways in which we can be a sign of hope and new life to those who are suffering or experiencing emptiness in their lives: in lonely marriages and widowhood, in unemployment and unrealized dreams, in the lives of the poor who do not have what they need and the rich who are choking on excess, in families broken and alienated from one another, in the lives of those isolated from society.

We find people suffering in hospitals and nursing homes and forgotten apartments where depression exercises its bitter rule, in the private souls of those who struggle with their sexual identity, in the world of a neglected child or a single parent, in those trapped by alcoholism, drug addiction, gambling, pornography, in those who have lost a child, a spouse, a beloved friend, in the lives of the sick and disabled who have to learn to go on without the use of legs, arms, reliable organ, or the illusion that this life will last forever.

When we identify with Christ and his life, although everything around us urges us to despair, we witness to the presence of the risen Lord within us. When we bring healing, strength, and hope to others in their weakness, confusion, and their struggles, we witness to the presence of the Risen Lord within us. When we bring peace to others and work for an end to violence in our community and war in our world, we witness to the presence of the Risen Lord within us.

When we imitate Christ in his crucifixion and extend unconditional love and forgiveness, when we work for justice and peace and reconciliation, we witness to the presence of the Risen Lord within us.

There is no need for an empty tomb to prove Jesus’ resurrection. Our lives are the living proof that he is risen and alive within us.