Reflecting on the Resurrection

By Michael Antoon

As the arrival of spring brings about a period of rebirth and renewal, Christians all around the world draw their hearts and minds closer to the most sacred, holy, and significant events in the faith – Easter. Far beyond symbolism of colored eggs and spring flowers, Easter encapsulates the celebration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ rising from the dead, giving us the promise of eternal life.

At its core, Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the pivotal moment that defines the very essence of our Christian belief. This celebration is the feast of feasts! It transcends all cultural and political boundaries and unites believers in the shared acknowledgment of the ultimate triumph of light over darkness, redemption over sin, and life over death.

The resurrection narrative, as it is documented in the Holy Gospels, tells the story of Jesus Christ triumphantly resurrecting from the tomb after three days. It is truly a tale of divine love and mercy, our loving God making the ultimate sacrifice for the redemption of humanity. Easter, therefore, becomes more than a historical and monumental event; it transforms into a living truth that shapes the spiritual identity of Christians around the world.

For Catholics, Easter is not a one-day feast, rather it is an entire season of reflection, contemplation, and renewal. The profound impact of the resurrection extends beyond the walls of churches and becomes a daily guiding force in the lives of believers. St. Augustine of Hippo captures this declaring, “We are the Easter people, and ‘Halleluiah’ is our song.” The celebration is the very cornerstone of our faith, which is lived out daily as faithful believers.

One of the central themes that is embodied in the resurrection is the symbolism of hope. In a world that is often marked by uncertainty and challenges, the resurrection of Jesus Christ serves as a beacon, reminding believers that there is hope even in the darkest times. The empty tomb represents not only the victory proclaimed over death, but also a promise of a new beginning – having died to sin and living to God.

In Romans 6, it says:

“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his… For we know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives, he lives to God” (Romans 6: 4-5, 9-10).

This reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans is popularly read at funeral Masses throughout our Eparchy. The deceased, through their faith and baptism, share in the promise of a renewed and eternal existence. Being “united with him in a death like his” draws us a parallel between our human mortality and Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross for our sins. This message becomes a source of hope, signifying that the deceased, having passed through the veil of death, now lives a life in communion with God, freed from the bonds of sin and death.

As Easter approaches, the Holy Church calls upon its faithful to fast, pray, and give alms diligently in the Lenten season. Our Holy Father, His Beatitude Cardinal Mar Louis Raphael Sako, in his ‘Pastoral Letter on the Occasion of Lent 2024’ says:

“Lent comes this year in this fragile environment preceding Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection, giving our lives a new horizon, to distinguish right from wrong, true from false, [and] good from evil. It helps us also in choosing what God wants from us, by getting along with each other to change ourselves for the better and move forward in the spirit of humility, reconciliation, and wisdom.” (Chaldean Patriarchate)

As we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, we can join our faith community in fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. The same way Jesus fasted in the desert, we too have an invitation to fast and reject the evil one and all his works. It is through fasting that we can form a greater connection with our loving God, being made new in his mercy. Fasting is a great way to purify the body and soul, and to detach from worldly distractions. Through detachment we are able enhance our awareness of God, our almighty Father. In His Beatitude’s letter “Fasting reinforces hope in our hearts” he says:

‎“الصوم، يخلق أجواء ملائمة للدخول الى بيتنا الداخلي، والنظر الى الأبعد وترميمه بالتوبة والرجوع إلى الله. حضوره في حياتنا اليومية يفتح لنا باب الرجاء والاهتداء الإنجيلي، لتصحيح السلوك، والتخلي عن العادات السيئة، وتغيير العقلية، والتفكير، والقرارات، على ضوء ما يطرحه علينا الإيمان من أسئلة حول قضايا مهمة ومصيرية نواجهها على الصعيد الشخصي والعائلي والكنسي والاجتماعي، حتى نتمكن من العيش بتناغم وسلام.

‎الأمل – الرجاء، هو الحفاظ على شعلة الأمل وعدم السماح بإخمادها في قلب المؤمن أبداً. ويتعيّن على الكنيسة، في عالم مثقل بالأحداث كعالمنا الحالي، أن تسهر أكثر على الخدمة الانسانية والروحية، وتعمّق الثقة المطلقة بالعناية الالهية في قلوب المؤمنين المتعبين، وترفع معنوياتهم. وان تساعدهم على الإصغاء الى صوت الله واكتشاف القيمة الإيجابية في الألم والضيق، ويدركوا أن الخير في النهاية ينتصر على الشر، والمحبة على الحقد، والحق على الكذب، والعدالة على الظلم، والسلام على الحرب، والنور على الظلام، لان المسيحية ليست ديانة الألم والهزيمة، بل ديانة الحياة والتجدد والقيامة. الإحباط واليأس موت بطيء (البطريركية الكلدانية)

“Fasting creates a conducive atmosphere for entering our inner selves, looking beyond and repairing it with repentance and turning back to God. Its presence in our daily lives opens the door to hope and Gospel guidance, for correcting behavior, abandoning bad habits, and changing mindset, thoughts, and decisions, in light of the questions posed by faith about significant and existential issues we face personally, as families, in the Church, and in society. This enables us to live in harmony and peace.

Hope is about preserving the flame of hope and never allowing it to be extinguished in the heart of the believer. In a world burdened with events like our current world, the Church must be more vigilant in human and spiritual service, deepening absolute trust in divine care in the hearts of the weary believers and boosting their morale. It should help them listen to God’s voice and discover the positive value in pain and distress. They must realize that in the end, good triumphs over evil, love over hatred, truth over falsehood, justice over injustice, peace over war, and light over darkness, for Christianity is not a religion of pain and defeat, but a religion of life, renewal, and resurrection. Despair and hopelessness are a slow death.” (Chaldean Patriarchate translation from Arabic)

So, as we approach the joyous feast of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, let us embrace the significance of the resurrection in our own lives. As we fast, pray, and give alms during this Lenten season, let us heed the call of renewal in God. In the spirit of Easter, let us carry this message of hope, renewal, and resurrection into our homes, communities, and the world. May the grace of the risen Christ inspire us to live harmoniously, radiating the light of our faith and love to overcome the shadows of despair and death. As we emerge from the Lenten season and celebrate the joy of the resurrection, let the hymn of ‘Halleluiah’ resound in our hearts, for we truly are the Easter people, celebrating the victory of life everlasting. Amen.

Christ has Risen! / Qimleh Maran! / Qam al-Messih!