The Beauty of the Risen Lord

In my previous writing, “A Lenten Reflection" I used our five senses to enhance the thoughts that could connect our Lenten journey to the need for the Lord’s presence and intercession in our walk moving towards Easter and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our number one impression of the Paschal Mystery should culminate with Christ rising from the dead. This mystery should be no mystery if we believe in God and his promise, through Christ, that the Eternal Father prepared all this from the beginning.

Let’s take a moment to reflect upon how all this began. If one has shared in the Easter Vigil you would have noticed that there are several Old Testament readings encompassing water. Water is only one of the elements in the service for the Easter celebration. Fire and light are the other two that complete this most profound encounter with the Lord’s presence.

I have heard grumblings regarding the Old Testament readings, but without those scripture segments in the service, we would miss the most important part of God’s intervening in human history. From the beginning, God’s intention was to share his Life and Love with Man. This was accomplished in three stages, which St. Paul called “The Mystery” (of the Church).

First this mystery was hidden in God from all eternity. Second it was revealed in Christ, and finally realized in us. The Incarnation was not a happenstance but real and prophesied beginning in Genesis. Throughout the Old Testament, we see the step by step growth of the predictions of God’s Plan to save humanity from their sin. It would all conclude with the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ. You may begin to understand that the element of water would be a cleansing of sin from the very beginning, with the flood, the Red Sea, EZ “I will sprinkle clean water upon you to cleanse you from all your impurities”. Baptism is the prime theme of this Easter Vigil, and cleansing us from the impurities of sin prepares us for the ultimate glorification of the Great Alleluia and being reconciled with the Father through the Risen Christ. All of this is seen and lived through the intercession of the Holy Spirit; from the raising of Christ from the dead to the Ascension of Christ with his Father.

As we read the foregoing theme of Lent, preparing ourselves each week with a different, yet totally connected, human sense, it prepared us to meet the Risen Christ here in the realm of Divine perfection, our sins expiated, and awaiting the future coming of the Holy Spirit fifty days hence.

Make this Easter the one event that isn’t just a happening, but a renewed connection with the Living God who forgives our sins, and loves us, not because of us, but in spite of ourselves. Seek and you shall shall find, knock and the door will be opened for you.