During the Easter Season, Catholics of the Eastern Church greet each other with this Easter greeting: Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen!
That Easter greeting confesses the Resurrection from Death to Life of the Lord Jesus. Notice, it uses the present tense of the verb. Christ “is” Risen. Indeed, He “is” Risen. “Is” refers to the present action of Jesus Christ. He is Risen in our everyday lives and situations. The Resurrection of the Lord takes place in the now.
Unfortunately, some limit the Lord’s Resurrection to the past. To that Easter morn when He burst out of the tomb. Death could not shackle God. Others limit the Lord’s Resurrection to the future. There will be the Resurrection of the dead on the last day. Both of these perspectives are valid. Yes. He was raised from the tomb on that first Easter morn. Yes. He will rise to judge the living and the dead on the last day. However, his Resurrection affects this day. Today. Our present reality. Our here and now in which Christ is Risen.
The Risen Lord redeems us now in our present realities and situations. He communicates with us through the Church. He acts in each of the seven sacraments. In penance, he forgives our sins. In the Holy Eucharist, He gives us his Body and Blood to eat and drink. He anoints us when we are sick and dying; He pours the very life of God – (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) – into us in the waters of baptism. He strengthens us and makes us more like Christ in confirmation. He binds and unites the love of a man and a woman in matrimony. He ordains men in the sacrament of holy orders to act in his person through their ministry as priest or bishop. The sacraments are the actions of the Risen Lord.
The Resurrection of Jesus took place in time and history, in which He is Risen. To us who live in time and history, the Risen Lord is present. There are occasions, for example, when we suffer, that it may be difficult to experience His Risen presence. On the other hand, when confronted with the suffering of others, for example, victims of war, hunger, lack of justice, poverty and natural disasters, it can be difficult to confess that He is Risen. Some say, “Where is God in all of this suffering?”
Look deeply. Look with faith. There are signs of the Risen Lord in the goodness and generosity of others. In the concern of women and men of good will. In the response of charity to others. In taking up the Cross daily to follow Christ, who is Risen from the dead. The Risen Lord penetrates the darkness and all our troubles to which He brings hope and life.
Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen! Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen!
Most Reverend Dennis J. Sullivan, D.D.
Bishop of Camden