Resurrection Is Not An Apparition

 

Christ is alive in body and soul.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Thursday of Easter Octave, Year B, April 4th, 2024
Texts: Acts 3:11-26; Psalm 8:2,5-9; Luke 24:35-48 

Resurrection is an uncommon event in history. Resurrection is not an apparition, an appearance of a dead person or a spirit. It is coming back to life in true body and soul. It is not also a resuscitation; it is a defeat of the death. Resurrection is coming back to life as a result of defilement of corruption and the death. The sign of defilement of the death is His body that is no more confined to space and time; it is a sign that He now lives in eternity.  

Jesus Christ proves it to us today that He is alive in body and soul. He says, "Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have." The risen Christ has body and soul and able to relate as human. Hence, we read, “he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’ They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.” 

Jesus Christ has transformative power

What does this mean to us? It means that Christ has power to make our corruptible body incorruptible and temporal body eternal. It is in risen Christ that our desire to live forever in body and soul is fulfilled. Jesus Christ has transformative power.  

We see the power of Christ to transform life at work in today’s first reading. Peter says, “And his name, by faith in his name, has made this man strong whom you see and know; and the faith which is through  Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.” 

Prayer  

O God, who have united the many nations in confessing your name, grant that those reborn in the font of Baptism may be one in the faith of their hearts and the homage of their deeds. Amen  

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke