![\"The](\"http:\/\/wordincarnate.files.wordpress.com\/2011\/04\/resurrection_icon1.jpg\")
<\/a>The Resurrection of Jesus<\/p><\/div>\n
First, do you know what it is we believe? Do you remember what it is we believe about the dead who had hope in Christ at their passing? Let\u2019s take a look at the Creed<\/b> we professed during yesterday\u2019s Holy Day of Obligation:<\/p>\n \u2026and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead<\/b> and the life of the world to come. Amen.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n That\u2019s how we end<\/i> the Creed. The dead are not merely a memory we hold onto or call to mind on certain days. The faithful departed are destined and meant to have their body resurrected<\/i>. With their resurrected and glorified body, reunited with their soul, they will live in \u201cthe life of the world to come.\u201d This should echo Revelation 21:1-2:<\/p>\n Then I saw a new heaven<\/span> and a new earth<\/span>. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven for God, prepared as a bride<\/span> adorned for her husband.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The world to come will be made new (verses 5-6). The new heaven and earth will be the dwelling place of God and his people. The remainder of chapter 21 and all of 22 help our weak faith to see what it is we are made for. The resurrection of the dead<\/i><\/b> and the life of the world<\/i> to come<\/i> are not meant primarily to make us feel warm inside. In fact, much of the time these good and beautiful truths don\u2019t cause comfort but tension\u2026 Here\u2019s a real life example of what I mean by tension:<\/i><\/p>\n \u2026to me life is Christ, and death is gain.<\/i><\/span> If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. And I do not know which I shall choose. I am caught between the two.<\/b> I long to depart<\/span> this life and be with Christ, for that is far better. Yet that I remain in the flesh is more necessary for your benefit. \u2013St. Paul to the Philippians 1:21-24<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Look at that. St. Paul the Evangelist, apostle, slave to Christ, ambassador and teacher of the faith\u2026 this man openly admitted his personal and human struggle. He was caught between the desire to depart to be with Christ and to \u201cremain in the flesh.\u201d He knew very well the supernatural reality that we anxiously await and work toward daily. Knowledge of that reality caused tension in his life.<\/p>\n Hope<\/b><\/p>\n How does hope relate to this? \u201cHope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven<\/i> and eternal life as our happiness\u201d (CCC 1817<\/a>). Hope is the power and capacity to desire the accomplishment of \u201cthy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.\u201d\u00a0 \u201c\u2026We also groan within ourselves as we await the redemption of our bodies.<\/i> For in hope we are saved. Now hope that sees for itself is not hope. For who hopes for what one sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance<\/i>\u201d \u2013Romans 8:23-25.<\/p>\n Hope moves us toward heaven<\/b>, toward God. \u201cIn [Jesus] the hope of the blessed resurrection has dawned,\u201d says the Roman Missal<\/a>. \u00a0Jesus Christ, who has been raised as the first fruits of those whom have died (1 Corinthians 15:20), gives light and hope to us. This hope is<\/i> the resurrection. Can this hope be our prayer?<\/b> Can we hope and pray and desire<\/i> the kingdom of heaven for the faithful departed? It seems that by interceding and praying for a loved one, the person praying is compelled to respond with more devout and fervent intercession and thanksgiving. This act of prayer burns in the person an even more ardent desire and hope, a hope that seems to \u201cgroan within.\u201d<\/p>\n How strong is this hope?<\/b> Hope helps us attain \u201cperfect possession of God in divine union<\/i>\u201d (Ascent of Mount Carmel, Bk. 3, Ch. 7.2): the beatific vision. Hope does not disappoint because \u201cthe love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit\u201d<\/i> (Romans 5:5). In fact, \u201cNothing<\/i> will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord\u201d (Romans 8:39). That\u2019s how strong hope is. Now, imagine living hope instead of reading about it\u2026 Now, begin to live in hope<\/i> in a way that intoxicates others<\/b>\u00a0and moves them to do the same.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Eucharist and the Entire Church<\/p><\/div>\n Drawn Into One<\/b><\/p>\n We suffer with one another and rejoice with one another, right (Romans 12:15)? We edify the body of Christ by having the same mind, spirit, and faith, right (Ephesians 4:1-6)? Have you read John 17? Read how our blessed Lord prays. He prays for the apostles and for all who will believe in him through their word (verse 20). He prays, \u201cso that they may be one<\/i>, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me\u201d (verse 21).<\/p>\n Can you see that? Consider this with the Eucharist in mind. In the Eucharist, we are drawn together. “We believe in the communion of all the faithful<\/i> of Christ, those who are pilgrims on earth, the dead who are being purified<\/i>, and the blessed in heaven, all together forming one Church; and we believe that in this communion, the merciful love of God and his saints is always [attentive] to our prayers” (CCC 950 and 962<\/a>). What effect does this Eucharistic communion<\/b> have on our dead family members? With Christ as our head, \u201cCommunion renews, strengthens, and deepens this incorporation into the Church, already achieved by Baptism\u201d (CCC 1396<\/a>). \u201cWe have been called to form but one body,\u201d and this body is the Bride of Christ<\/i> who is united to her husband<\/b> in such an intimate way we can only begin to contemplate in heaven. In other words, the saints in heaven and the baptized on earth are meant to draw the suffering souls in purgatory \u201cupward\u201d toward heaven with their (our) prayers.<\/p>\n May the souls of the faithful departed\u2026<\/b><\/p>\n It is right to pray for them and commend their souls to God. It is good to desire heavenly things, and most of all, heaven itself. It is right to ask God to give the faithful departed a share in his life. Let us pray with the Church:<\/p>\n<\/a>