My Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord: 

Easter is the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Over the years, many other meanings have attached themselves to this day: the beginning of Spring, relief at the end of the dreariness of winter, a time for family reunions with egg hunts and baskets of gifts. 

Whatever their value, these things ought not to distract us from what is essential. “The Resurrection of Jesus is the crowning truth of our faith in Christ, a faith believed and lived as the central truth by the first Christian community; handed on as fundamental by Tradition; established by the documents of the New Testament; and preached as an essential part of the Paschal mystery along with the Cross” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no 638). 

How do we know that the Resurrection is true? There are two categories of evidence. First, the inherent coherence and credibility of the evidence or testimony itself; second, the credibility of the witnesses giving the testimony. 

The first article of evidence is the empty tomb. By itself, this is not proof of the Resurrection, but it is evidence that the Christian explanation is plausible. The description of the tomb and what it contains is also revealing. For example, St John describes the presence of the two burial cloths, “the linen cloths lying there” (John 20:5). The Greek word that is translated as “lying, ” κειμενα, literally means “lying flat,” or “deflated,” as if Jesus’ body passed through them, rather than their being cast aside. The other cloth, which covered the Lord’s face, is “rolled up” (v. 7), as if it were stiffened and then shaped by a rounded object. 

The witnesses are also believable. If Jesus was not raised, why would the Apostles, who had abandoned Christ during his Passion, even speak of him at all? If Jesus were not raised, we would expect them to just forget the whole episode, chalk it up to youthful enthusiasm, and return to their fishing. Instead, they proclaim the Resurrection as a truth to be believed to the point of death. Why would they have been willing to suffer persecution for the sake of a lie? 

Given this, we can have absolute confidence in the truthfulness of the accounts of Christ’s Resurrection. This fact is consequential for our lives. The Resurrection confirms everything that Jesus said and did. “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain” (I Corinthians 15:14). The fact that Christ conquered death is the root of our hope in eternal life. 

We will proclaim our faith in this truth as we renew the promises of our baptism on Eater Sunday. Even if we fell that our faith is weak we should not hesitate to make that renewal, asking God to take what is weak and make it strong, as He strengthened His Apostles, despite their failures. 

Christ’s Resurrection changes everything. May it change us also, and fortify us to bear witness to him with courage and faith. 

Sincerely Yours in Christ, 

Fr. Stephen B. Reynolds