Alan E. Lewis in Between Cross & Resurrection
What faith hears in the Easter narrative, and passes on to a skeptical and mocking world, is that justice, forgiveness, and reconciliation are not ideals or dreams but realities, facts embodied in a person who lives now, who with his words has already been restored to life and reigns in victory. The Risen Christ is what he promises and offers: he is our peace, our justification, and our hope. For itself and for the world, the Easter community which lives with and in him asks for a renewal already given, prays for a peace already accomplished, struggles for freedom already guaranteed.
The reality of the life behind the Risen Christ give substance to the power and reality of the Risen Christ for our lives today. That is why the message - the Good News - is an invitation. When God raised Jesus from the dead, God was restoring everything that the powers of the world had tried to end. That is the victory of the cross that leads to new life for those who are called the followers of Jesus. We are invited into a reality that is not dream life or dreamed up. We don't need to ask "what would Jesus do," for in our baptism, we are already a part of "what Jesus did do" and we can share in the justice, reconciliation and forgiveness that is already ours for life.
Connection: We continue to go back to the story to gain insight into how our lives are to unfold. Obviously we do not want to go back in time to ancient Palestine, but we do want to share in the life of our Lord even now in what we will encounter today. The bold themes of life spelled out in today's quote are already the building blocks of this day.
Lead us Lord along the path you have already walked. Remind us of the glorious life that is yours within the mundane and common events of this day. Amen
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