“Fake news” – the phrase, now in common use, is often attributed to the former US President Donald Trump as the one who made it popular. Although the phrase certainly got into greater prominence, the reality described by it has a very long history; indeed, it reaches back to time immemorial. The relative success of such an attitude is based on the inherently flawed human perception. We’d like to think of ourselves as reasonable, intelligent and logical creatures, so – consequently – we assume that our perception must be factually correct and assessment of it sound. If that’s the case, please tell me why most of us have arguments and rows? When we do argue, the subject of the dispute is the same for both parties, right? So, we argue over differences in perception, or interpretation of the facts in question. Sometimes we might be honestly mistaken, and the conversation can correct our thinking. But sometimes we bend and twist the truth or tell barefaced lies to gain an advantage, to push away our responsibility for misdeeds or shortcomings, and so on.
Today’s gospel shows a situation where three people, close friends, came to the tomb where Jesus’ body had been hastily laid before the sabbath’s rest, in line with the Law of Moses. They didn’t come together but in succession. The first one was Mary Magdalene. Based on various passages in the gospels we can safely assume that she wanted to properly complete the burial. It was then and remains an important part of closure and grieving. Already traumatised by the cruel death and prompt burial, she must have felt heartbroken when she had found the tomb open and empty. Deeply upset, she called for help. Simon and John ran in response to the tomb but at different speeds, so they arrived at different times. Eventually, all three saw the same place in the same state, and at that moment each came to a different conclusion. John “saw and he believed”; Simon Peter returned home scratching his head; Mary stayed behind determined to find Jesus’ body and bury it properly.
The resurrection of Christ has been a challenge since day one on so many levels. First and foremost, it was against the laws of nature. Secondly, it was political; those who had hoped to definitely silence the dangerous, irritating and unruly preacher suddenly had to face the even greater challenge of fighting the potentially explosive story of an undefeated and undefeatable leader. Thirdly, the resurrection of Christ challenged the religious order; Jesus’ resurrection meant that “God has made him both Lord and Messiah” (Acts 2:36) and consequently, Jewish believers ought to acknowledge Him as such. This was unacceptable to the Jewish religious leaders who exactly because of such a claim had condemned Jesus to death. Those who decided to believe that Jesus rose back to life and was alive, exposed themselves to a great variety of persecution: from mockery to death and everything between.
Two thousand years later, after a long time of Christian cultural, religious and political dominance, we are back to square one. The Christian faith seems to be in general retreat among the population, while many Christians do not believe in the resurrection of Christ. This makes no sense, as St Paul clearly stated: “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile, and you are still in your sins.” (1 Corinthians 15:17) A few years ago some atheists tried to replicate the Church in its liturgical, social and communal aspects but that project failed. The Risen Lord is the only source of life of the Church and in the Church. When we believe that Jesus is alive, we can be certain “that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)
Do you believe that?
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