We share in that resurrection by our own Baptism. Sharing in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the way we understand our Baptism. As St. Paul says:
“Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into this death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in the newness of life.” (Romans 6:3-4)
Continuing that same thought, the second reading for Easter Sunday, which is taken from Colossians, says this:
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” (Colossians 3:1)
Living in the newness of life and seeking what is above indicates life in the light of the resurrection.
Let us remember that at the beginning of Lent, in our preparation for Easter we were invited to undertake a journey of conversion. The words of the Prophet Joel from Ash Wednesday were very striking and very instructive as well. It is well from us to keep them in mind. The Prophet says to us:
“Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping and mourning. Rend you hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God. For gracious is he, slow to anger, rich in kindness and relenting in punishment. Perhaps he will again relent and leave behind him a blessing.” (Joel 2:12-14a)
“Rend your hearts, not your garments,” says Joel. These words echo those of the First Book of Samuel which says: “Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the Lord looks into the heart.” (I Samuel 16:7)
The call to conversion at the beginning of Lent and the call to live in the newness of life at the start of the Easter season remind us who we are and what we ought to be doing. Paul reminds us that we are to be dead to sin and alive for God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:11)
From time to time we all find ourselves on intimate terms with sin in one form or another. We need to remember that sin has personal consequences for us. More than that, living in a community as we all do, sin has social consequences as well. Our selfishness, our dishonesty, our unfaithfulness and our prejudice all have consequences, which reach beyond us. These consequences have effects within the community in which we live. Indeed they impact the quality of our life together. When we steal someone has to pay for it. If we are rude and disrespectful, someone is offended by it. Indeed, our sinful actions have effects beyond ourselves.
Likewise, the good we do has effects beyond our selves. An act of kindness, a word of encouragement or challenge or even a loving rebuke when necessary may each have an effect beyond our expectations. The bad and the good in us affect those around us.
We are reminded on this very special feast that: We were indeed buried with (Christ) though baptism in his death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in the newness of life. (Romans 6:3-11)
Again we are reminded: “If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated with God’s right hand. Think of what is above…” (Colossians 3:1-4) Our task is to affect those around us for the good always. In that way we build our community. The foundation for our values, our meanings, our hope and our community building is our Easter faith.
Easter continues our call to conversion. It is our call to goodness. The Easter proclamation declares: “Jesus Christ our King is risen!” With him rose all our hope. With Him rose our desire to carry on despite all distractions and disappointments and doubt which may encircle us in the course of any given day.
Easter is, above all else a joyful season. The season lasts for fifty days until Pentecost. This gives us ample time to reflect on what it could possibly mean to say and to dare to believe that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead.
May the newness of life, the fullness of life, eternal life, which Easter announces come to abide in our hearts and influence our ways, our community and our world.
A Happy Easter to all.