Christ’s resurrection brings us life!

Apr 06, 2015

“As weak human beings we usually rely on substantial evidence or signs as a basis for our belief. However, Jesus told Thomas, “Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe” (Jn 20:29)

“At Easter, we will wish one another ‘Happy Easter,’ but do we really mean it when we say that Jesus rose from the dead, that He’s alive and is now here with us? The Apostles testified, ‘it is true, the Lord is risen!’ (Lk 24:34). St Paul also testified, ‘And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.’ (1 Cor 15: 14).

“The world today overwhelmes us, Christians, with so many attractive things such as money, services, promotion, etc. as though cynically implying that being followers of Christ is not all that worthwhile or useless. But do we realise that we are indeed precious in God’s eyes and also in the world? That is why they make offers to turn us away from Christ.

“Jesus himself never promised an easy path when following Him. On the other hand, He said that ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.’ (Lk 9: 23).

“We need courage and wisdom when faced with temptations and challenges of faith. Courage and wisdom will always be with us and in us when we remain steadfast and consistent in building our personal relationship with Jesus, ‘I am with you always until the end of the world.’ (Mt 20:28).

Our personal union with Christ should not just end at Baptism. As St Paul tells us: ‘just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith.’ (Col.2: 6-7). We need to be empowered by the Holy Spirit so that whenever and wherever we are, we should not be dazzled by such worldly allurements that lead us to deny Jesus. The consequences of that denial is seen in the afterlife. (Mt.10: 32-33).

“Our belief in the resurrection of Christ and that He is with us, encourages us to forge an intimate relationship with Him through prayer, His Word, Sacraments and Community life. Our belief in the resurrection of Christ and His presence in our lives will convince us that all the sacrifices we make for Jesus and our neighbours are worth the effort and never wasted. His sacrificial death on the Cross gives us life and is resurrection. Confidence and faithfulness to the risen Christ is the assurance of our salvation, ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’ (Jn 3: 16).

“In conclusion, our lives based on belief in Christ’s resurrection will encourage us, as followers of Christ to live honourably our Christian Identity (Jn 13:35), Mission (Mt 5:13-16) and Christian Destination (Jn 14:3; Phil 3:20).”

Happy Easter!


+ Bishop Datuk Cornelius Piong
Keningau Diocese