He Will Be Raised

August 11, 2008

Memorial of St. Clare

By Beth DeCristofaro

Upon it was seated, up above, one who had the appearance of a man. Upward from what resembled his waist I saw what gleamed like electrum; downward from what resembled his waist I saw what looked like fire; he was surrounded with splendor. Like the bow which appears in the clouds on a rainy day was the splendor that surrounded him. Such was the vision of the likeness of the glory of the LORD (Ezekiel 1: 26-28).

Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were overwhelmed with grief. (Matthew 17: 22-23)

Piety

God our Father,
by raising Christ your Son
you conquered the power of death
and opened for us the way to eternal life.

Let my joy with Jesus risen
raise me up and renew my life
by the Spirit that is within me.

Grant this through our Lord
Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and
the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

Adapted from the Opening Prayer, Easter Sunday Liturgy.

Study

http://www.usccb.org/nab/081108.shtml

There is a movie coming out later in August entitled “Death Race.” It looks chillingly horrific with bodies blowing up or being blown away and winning appears to be via murder. From the trailers, death is demonic. Death is coming to get you unless you are better than others at dealing out death. What a perversion and yet it will probably be a blockbuster. Is this really what we fear, yet crave? Seems to explain some of the horrors and shortcomings of the modern world if we spend so much time terrified and running.

Jesus’ friends are stunned with grief at his words The Son of Man is to be handed over to men, and they will kill him. They haven’t been able to hear the second part of his statement: and (the Son of Man) will be raised on the third day. As we navigate the troubled, often stormy waters of our lives, it’s hard to keep the resurrection in our line of sight. Losses touch our lives and hurts. Jesus wept, experienced pain, spent time in a tomb just like us. But he also walked on water, healed, rose from the dead. Jesus weeps with us in our losses, heals our hurts, and is light in the dark tomb of our sorrow. Death is not all-powerful and demonic. Sorrow and hurt as well as faith and hope made Jesus the man who inspired the disciples. They make us who we are as well, living, vibrant humans, loved by a God who was us.

Ezekiel’s stunningly powerful and awe-inspiring vision caused the prophet to fall on his face in holy fear and astonishment. Just last week we read from the beginning of Matthew’s chapter of Jesus’ transfiguration – a vision, a real experience, which caused Jesus’ friends to fall prostrate in fear and reverence over what they saw. But when they heard of his death they felt only their sorrow.

Jesus’ presence through grace is the touch of divinity which gets us through the stormy and the tranquil waters. Death was, is and will be, overcome. We witness and rejoice in the births of babies, promotions, retirements, steps taken on spiritual journeys, and new friends made through Cursillo. We also grieve – rightfully so – at our losses. Death doesn’t win but death defines our human limits. Jesus sets us free from those limits.

Action

Do you know someone who is bereaved or facing a difficult problem – perhaps loss or a difficulty that is not new but still real and raw? Sometimes it is tough to reach out because it isn’t new. What would she/he need now? She/he is in the water, sinking as Peter was. Reach out to her/him with a card, call, visit. Be a friend.