Jesus really died and rose again

Apr 15, 2015

By Bernard Anthony
“Today we are celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus. The Triduum and the 40 days of Lent prepare us for the feast of Resurrection. Our Christian faith is based on the Resurrection. If Jesus had not risen and overcame death, we are wasting our time.” His Grace, Archbishop Julian Leow, said this at the Easter Sunday Mass at the Cathedral of St John on April 5. Some 2,800 Catholics were present.

The prelate added, “Was Jesus just a prophet or a holy man who lived 2,000 years ago? Was He substituted on the Cross as some religions profess or was He resuscitated? Some say He didn’t die, woke up and walked on. Some others challenged whether Jesus is the Son of God. “

Who is Jesus Christ to you and why are you here in Church, if we do not understand this fundamental issue,” asked Archbishop Leow. It challenges us when we do not understand our faith deeply enough and believe in the resurrection of Jesus. We become confused and leave the Church.

The prelate exhorted that Jesus really died on the Cross and He rose again on Easter morning. This is what we must believe. Not because priests or bishops say so, or that you learnt this in RCIA or Catechism; but because God has confirmed this and we have proof of this in the Scriptures. Not hearsay but proof is in the Readings. The Shroud of Turin shows not only the face of Jesus but His whole Body with wounds imprinted. The prelate added that there are many testimonies of the disciples and martyrs of the Early Church who had seen Jesus alive after His Resurrection. Despite all these proofs, some still do not believe, the prelate lamented.

Happy are those who have not seen, but yet believe. Likewise for all of us. The faith handed down from generation to generation to the present must continue to be handed down to future generations. Let us hold on to the faith. We have a Saviour who overcame death and sin. We, too, can overcome sins, and we are are called to follow Jesus more closely and to share our faith with others. The prelate said every baptized person has this mandate as His disciples to bear witness of Christ to others, to share Christ with others, even to be laughed at, jeered at, even to martyrdom. We cannot ask for anything less.

Archbishop Leow said as Jesus rose from the dead, let us be encouraged and stand up for Jesus. Speak the truth and be ready to face the challenges. “God is with us. We are not alone. He strengthened us with His Body and Blood in the Eucharist. Be an ‘Alleluia’ people who received the Good News — new life and give life through our words and action.We have a God who is with us and walks with us and will continue walking with us, not only to the Ascension, but throughout our lives.”