He is risen!

Waking from a coma that had lasted for twenty-three years, the Blegian man Rom Houben suprised many people.  Some of them even spoke of resurrection.  This term was also used in reference to people who Jesus raised to life: the daughter of Jairus (Mk 5:41), the young man from Nain (Lk 7:14-15) and Lazarus (Jn 11:43-44).  In each of these cases, people were restored to physical life and their existence was prolonged.  Later, they would die again.

Jesus' resurrection is another matter.  Raised from the dead, Christ will never die again; death has no power over him (Rom 6:9).  This is not merely a matter of returning from a coma or having a second chance at life after a clinical death, but rather it is an entrance into an existence that unfolds beyond the limits of space and time, an existence in God.  From now on, the Risen One ensures his luminous presence everywhere and at the same time. And everyone who welcomes him is in touch with his life. Is this not what is evoked by the tomb that was found empty on Easter morning?

At the end of our earthly existence, we will experience the same resurrection: to die in the world, once and for all, to rise and remain forever with God. Today, we are already taking part in this new life when we love like Jesus loves us.

Happy Easter!