Friars Corner: Four astounding resurrection stories

Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR

Countless books and movies have been produced about the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the savior of the human race. The whole Christian life moves toward Jesus on the cross and flows from his wounded side. Easter is our greatest feast and we celebrate it for eight days.

At the daily Masses this coming week, we shall read little parts of the resurrection stories from each of our gospels. I think what is most helpful for our growth in faith is to take a little time each day to pray and meditate on these stories with pen and paper in a quiet place. Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and read one story and take notes. Who saw Jesus on that Sunday?

There were four appearances: Mary Magdalene, the other women, two disciples going to Emmaus and those in the Upper Room in the evening. Who saw Jesus. When, where and what did he do or say? Was Jesus angry that most people abandoned him? How was he different than before his death? I believe you will get caught up in the wonder of this glorious event. You will be astounded and excited about who Jesus is and what he is about in and through you and me. He wants to envelop us with his merciful love and light.

Stories for different cultures

These resurrection stories are not the same. They were written some thirty to eighty years after Jesus rose from the dead. Each writer was writing to a different audience in different countries and cultures, helping them understand what Christ’s life, death, resurrection, ascension and sending of the Holy Spirit really mean. Then people were invited to join in Jesus’ mission to live a new life in Christ and help him change the world. Is that still our mission?

During the weekdays of this season, we shall read from Acts of the Apostles, which is the history of the earliest Church for about the first fifteen years. All these New Testament books were written after the community was set on fire at Pentecost. We Catholics are the first Pentecostals. I pray that the Holy Spirit will set you on fire with his love so you will be fearless in sharing these stories with others. We need to help to fill up our churches, not let them empty out from lack of knowledge and fire.

As Jesus filled me more with the sheer wonder of His resurrected presence, I wanted to know more. What helped me the most was prayerfully reading all the resurrection stories, the Acts of the Apostles and the Letter to the Hebrews. More lights went on in my mind.

Biblical Revelations

Then a holy friend from Dallas, TX, recommended that I read the visions of Blessed Ann Catherine Emmerich’s book, in Vol. 4 about the resurrection events, in “The Life of Jesus Christ and Biblical Revelations.” As I read these stories I almost found myself in the story as it unfolded. I want to be like Mary Magdalene seeing Jesus on Easter Sunday morning. Here is the Resurrection of Jesus according to Blessed Ann.

The blessed soul of Jesus in dazzling splendor, between two warrior angels and surrounded by a multitude of resplendent figures, came gloating down through the rocky roof of the tomb upon the sacred body. It seemed to incline over it and melt, as it were, into one with it. I saw the sacred limbs moving beneath the shroud, and the dazzling, living body of the Lord with his soul and his Divinity coming forth from the side of the shroud, as if from his wounded side….

Now, I saw the Lord floating in glory up through the rock. The earth trembled, and an angel in warrior garb shot like lightning from Heaven down to the tomb, rolled the stone to one side, and seated himself upon it.

Now I often pray, wanting to be enveloped and transformed in Christ’s glorious light. I mentioned several weeks ago about seeing Jesus transformed. Over the years I have collected some pictures of Jesus. About 10 years ago, I was doing parish ministry in Dallas, TX. The church was praying for priests, and a lady found a beautiful picture of the face of Jesus. She had some printed and circulated through the diocese. On the back was a list of prayers that people were praying for priests. I received many. I find the eyes of Jesus so captivating. I often pray before this image and am drawn into his amazing love. You can find the image and the story of how it was painted here:  www.truefaceofjesus.com.

Divine Mercy Sunday

Next Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday as Jesus requested of St. Faustina in Poland in the 1930s. Jesus gave us several new channels of his power for our lives. With special prayers on Divine Mercy Sunday, we can have all of our past sins and the temporal punishment due for them taken away. Mercy is simply God’s extraordinary love being poured into us and through us to others.

Jesus gave us a New Divine Mercy Novena of 9 consecutive days. Each day Jesus asked us to bring a different group of persons for him to bless abundantly. Initially he asked it to be said from Good Friday until the following Saturday before Divine Mercy Sunday. As I prayed it, I was so amazed at the groups that Jesus asked us to pray for, so I started saying it every day all year long. Our world is certainly in great need of these prayers for God’s merciful love. Amen. More next Sunday.

May the Holy Spirit enlighten us with the glory and meaning of Jesus’ resurrection and the more that it can bring into our lives. I am praying for all of you on Easter and throughout the rest of the year. Have a wonder-filled Easter,

Blessings,

• Fr. Bob Hilz
  (© 2018 Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR)