Perhaps it is because Jesus answers one of the ultimate questions of the human experience: “where do we go when we die?” And how does he answer that question today? He says that his followers, those who follow him, believe in him and obey him, those who allow his truth to guide their lives, those who preach his truth, and those who allow his life, his spirit, to dwell in them, will go to the Father. Christianity, “The Way” of Christ, leads to the Father, it leads to Eternal Life with God the Father.
Jesus offers this teaching at the Last Supper, before he departs from this life, for a time. Similarly, Christians who pass from this life, depart to go to the Father. We even speak of them as the faithful departed. Where have they departed to? To go to the Father.
When a beloved fellow Christian dies, we are often overwhelmed with grief. And that is quite understandable. Life will be different without them. But grief must be met by Christian hope based on the teaching of Our Blessed Lord: death is not the end for the faithful Christian.
Now, had Jesus died on the cross and not resurrected, if he had stayed dead, his words could be doubted, his words would have no more weight than any other religious leader in history. As St. Paul writes, “had Christ not risen from the dead, our faith would be in vain”. Jesus’ promises to the disciples at the last supper would be empty words.
But unlike Mohammed, Krishna, Buddha, or any other religious founder, Jesus has risen, Jesus is risen. Jesus resurrection is the stamp of guarantee on his teachings: following him, believing his truth, living his life, leads to the Father. Not all roads lead to heaven. In fact, Jesus says, today, there is one road, his road.
As we read through the Acts of the Apostles, this is why the Apostles, Paul and Barnabas are willing to suffer so, because the way of Christ is not man’s best attempt at religion, it’s not some unverified theory, it is the truth. And every person who hears the Gospel preached will have to grapple with this truth, and their acceptance or rejection of this truth will have eternal consequences.
May our easter celebrations deepen our conviction of this truth, and help us to enter more deeply, and walk more faithfully, the way of the Lord Jesus, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
God the Father was glorified in the death and resurrection of his Son. Let us pray to him with confidence.
God the Father bathed the world in splendor when Christ rose again in glory, may our minds be filled with the light of faith.
Through the resurrection of His Son, the Father opened for us the way to eternal life, may we be sustained today in our work with the hope of glory.
Through His risen Son, the Father sent the Holy Spirit into the world, may our hearts be set on fire with spiritual love.
May Jesus Christ, who was crucified to set us free, be the salvation of all those who suffer, particularly those who suffer from physical or mental illness, addiction, and grief.
That all of our beloved dead and all the souls in purgatory may come to the glory of the Resurrection.
For the 9 men who will be ordained priests at the Cathedral tomorrow, that their minds and hearts may be united to Christ the Good Shepherd in all things.
O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the desires of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our lord.
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