For years, Jesus preached parables, taught scriptures, and performed miracles throughout Galilee and Jerusalem, and all of His words and deeds had a tremendous effect. He made people profoundly happy! He also claimed to be the long awaited Messiah from God who would lead people to lasting happiness. However, archaeologists today affirm that other people at that time did the same thing. How was Jesus different?
Before Easter, everyone saw Jesus as a wise man among many others who could interpret the scriptures with profound insights. They affirmed He was a miracle worker who could heal people of diseases. They acknowledged He was a bold preacher who spoke courageously as few others had. They also recognized He attracted thousands of followers. But none of those events made a lasting difference in history.
After all, people saw other talented people do the same things. They remembered the wisdom of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Jewish prophets too. These were towering figures in the ancient world known for their intelligence and wisdom. Wise people were everywhere.
What happened on Easter Sunday morning changed everything.
Earlier, on Good Friday, Jesus was brutally crucified and buried, leaving the Roman soldiers naturally thinking, “Well, that’s the end of him!” Yet, on that Easter Sunday morning, Jesus rose from the dead. That changed everything!
Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and wise Jewish prophets had died, and remained so. However, Jesus rose from the dead. Take note of that!
No longer can we simply look at Jesus as simply a wise teacher filled with wonderful insights. Now we must recognize He is the Son of God, and that His words and deeds are directly from God. That means we must look at everything He did and said in a whole new light as well.
Either the story of the resurrection of Jesus is true or it is not true. If not true, then we can sleep in on Sundays. However, if true, then it is worth taking seriously, which means that His life, His words, and His deeds are directly from God, and worth studying thoughtfully.
Why is it worthwhile to study Him? We believe that living the life of Jesus will make you profoundly happier, no matter what you are facing, just as He proclaimed while He lived so many years ago. His resurrection is God’s affirmation that His words and deeds are worth following precisely because they work for your lasting happiness. Happy Easter!
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Father Dave,
We love you, just like Jesus you spread happiness.
May God bless you.
Bob
Thank you!
Yes, Easter changed everything! And the study of Jesus in Scripture leads us to a fuller and richer life as
aided by Bible Study leaders such as Roland (and Janet) and many many others who selflessly give of their time and devotion. We would add that the presence of our Father Joe and Father Dave has given us a deeper
insight into this awareness. We have been richly blessed! We greatly miss their presence!
Easter blessings!
Thank you for those very kind words!
“Many Easter Thanks” for your continuing inspirational thoughts on the Gospels.
Life, living life, the search for truth, bad things happening to good people; all such a challenging journey. Sometimes very difficult to ” Keep The Faith.”
Always appreciate your thoughts on this journey, helping us all to seek answers to the unknown and to the eternal mystery of Faith!
Connie Tushla
Thank you. I certainly enjoy writing these weekly articles.
I remember attending morning Mass in the Hall one Easter, the first year that Fr. Joe was at SPB. He made me laugh when he instructed the cantor to keep singing over and over again, “Roll away the stone!” I think this Gospel reflection helps me understand better what Fr. Joe was getting at: maybe our hearts can become blocked with a “stone” that we need to pray away. Happy Easter!
Yes, Fr. Joe loved that song very much. He loved to move blocking stones out of our way.
Once people understand that since 2005 the image on the Shroud of Turin can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt to be authentic and created within 48 hours of death, they will realize that it was created as corroborating proof of the resurrection. Also to SHOW us just how very much he loves us!
I agree. The Shroud is the most important archaeological relic of Our Lord. It is a “Gospel” all by itself.
Amen, Father Dave, it is all about Resurrection! We left brained creatures are very into belief with proof. Faith requires belief without proof, but not without reason. The reason I am confident in the resurrection is because I feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. He speaks to me in subtle ways, giving me courage when I need it, and inspiration when I need that. Where does than come from if not from the resurrected Jesus? He said “For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you.”, John 16. But He does come, and I believe.
Yes, the personal experience of the spirit is powerful even if it cannot be verified by others.
Same to you, Father Dave – Happy Easter!
God bless,
Jeanie
Fr. Dave
Your words are a very profound description of the events leading up to The Resurrection!! Easter is the most holy time of the Catholic faith.
Is it true that the Jewish people thought that Jesus was a prophet?
Happy Easter and Thank you!!
Catherine Marie
Thank you for the article. Happy Easter!!!
Happy Easter!
What a beautiful precious faith we have Father Dave!!! Our God loves us so much, he sends his beautiful Son to teach to love, forgive us, suffer and die for us, redeem us so that we can return to our Divine God’s embrace!!! A circle of total love that could only be completed with Jesus’ Miraculous Resurrection!! In the Resurrection we have meaning and purpose in life for if we live Jesus’life, His love, His compassion,His forgiveness, we too will have our Resurrection and attain eternal life in the embrace of our loving God, our Divine Jesus and our beautiful Blessed Mother!!!We are so blessed with our Jesus, our precious Faith and with you leading us to Heaven!!! Happy, Happy Easter of love to you!!!
Love, Franca and Dick
Thank you!
Easter Blessings to you Fr. Dave,
The disciples of Jesus were fearful and disheartened and Jesus saw that their greatest need
was Peace, so He appeared to them to console them, to reassure them of His Presence
with them.
In our world today we too can be fearful and discouraged about the beheadings
bombs and persecutions of Christians but Jesus is reassuring us that we need not
be afraid. As Fr. Joe used to say He is there with His abundant lavish love
for all of us.,
Fr. Jo’s words will be helpful for a long time to come!