Christ is Risen
Illustration by David Kakos
Embracing the victory of the resurrection in our lives
By Fr. Marcus Shammami
“O Death, where is your sting? O Hell, where is your victory? Christ is Risen, and you are overthrown! Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen. Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice. Christ is risen, and life reigns. Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in the grave. For Christ, being risen from the dead, become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.”
These powerful words were preached by St. John Chrysostom over 1,600 years ago, yet they echo with profound meaning for every Christian today. They celebrate the most important event in all of human history and the very foundation of the Christian faith – the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, death is defeated and sin overthrown, and new life is given to all who are His disciples.
The very lifeblood of the Christian begins with the Resurrection. Without the Resurrection, there is no hope to be found and we would be shrouded in darkness and fear. Without the Resurrection, Jesus is just another great teacher, a wise philosopher whose teachings, while valuable, would not lead to the salvation of souls. But in His Resurrection from the tomb, Jesus proves that He is indeed the Son of God, and that He has the power to conquer sin and its fruit, which is death itself.
The Resurrection confirms to us that the promise that God had made to humanity was indeed true, and that all who believe and unite themselves to His Son will share in His victory over sin and death. This is truly the hope and victory that gives a Christian true joy. The Resurrection is not just a historical event that happened 2,000 years ago, but it is an eternal victory that truly changes everything — and it means that life and light, not death and darkness, truly reigns.
Early last month we began the Lenten season, a sacred time for Chaldean Catholics – and all Christians – to self-reflect on how we have been living our lives, to repent and turn away from sin that separates us from God, and to renew our spiritual lives. Lent is a time to take a step back and examine our lives and allow God to shed light on the ways in which we have been living in sin or neglecting Him in our lives.
During Lent we are commanded to fast, pray, and give alms as a way to prepare to unite ourselves with Christ and receive the great gift of the Resurrection on Easter morning. Through fasting we give up the things that distract us from God, learning to rely more completely on Him. Through prayer, we deepen our relationship with God, allowing ourselves to become more open to His transforming power. Through almsgiving, we are reminded to serve others as Jesus had done.
While Lent is a time for us to reflect on sin and its consequences, I do not want us to lose sight of it as a season of hope, as it ultimately leads us to the glorious victory of the Resurrection. We read St. John Chrysostom’s words: “O Death, where is your sting?” which reminds us that, through Jesus Christ, we no longer fear sin nor death because He has already won the battle for us. Lent is not only about self-denial, but a preparation to fully experience the transformative joy that comes with the Resurrection.
Lent provides each of us, as followers of Christ, with a unique opportunity to, in a personal way, experience the victory of Jesus. Lent is a time to unite ourselves with Jesus so that Easter is not simply just a remembering of an event but a share in His suffering, death, and resurrection. As we enter more deeply into fasting, prayer, and almsgiving we are invited to join our struggles with the sacrifice of Jesus. The more we surrender ourselves, the more fully we experience the very freedom that Jesus Christ has won for each one of us.
After we walk faithfully with Jesus to the cross during Lent and strive to sacrifice and cut sin out of our lives, we are then able to share in the glory of Easter. “Christ is risen, and life reigns!” proclaims St. John Chrysostom, as Jesus Christ has brought about new life and new creation and reconciled us to God the Father. This is the very foundation of our faith because it means that we all now share in His victory, and, because of Him, we now have the hope of eternal life. We are no longer a slave to sin and darkness, but we are free in the light and love of God, heirs to the Kingdom of God.
The Resurrection is the greatest gift God has given us. It gives us new life, eternal hope, and the victory over sin and death. But the question for you becomes: are you prepared to receive this gift? Remember, as a disciple of Jesus you do not merely go through this season of Lent and Easter to just observe an event; no, you are called to fully enter into the very life of Jesus Christ. Now, this means that you are called to make a very personal response to Jesus Christ, working on surrendering your very life to Jesus and trusting in His great victory.
If you have not yet united yourself fully to Jesus Christ, what is keeping you from doing so? No matter where you are in your spiritual journey, Jesus Christ invites you to experience the fullness of life and His Resurrection. He is waiting to share His victory over sin and darkness with you.
About the Artist
David Joseph Kakos is a Chaldean artist and poet based in West Bloomfield, Michigan. He enjoys exploring religious, mythological, and surreal themes in his work. David has felt compelled to create all his life and is grateful to share the journey. His favorite mediums include graphite, ink, colored pencil, and oil paint.