Michæl McFarland Campbell

Reflection on the readings for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C): Jeremiah 17:5–8; Psalm 1:1-4,6; 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16–20; St Luke 6:17, 20–26

The Resurrection makes all the difference

St Paul has almost had it with the Christians in Corinth. He spent the first fourteen chapters of this epistle addressing their weak Church discipline and lax morals. Now, as he draws his epistle to a close, he takes up the much deeper question of doctrine.

Why? Quite simply, the Corinthians were flirting with some new interpretations of the Resurrection of Christ. St Paul had to stop them, because, as he puts it,

if Christ has not been raised… we are the most unfortunate of all people.

The Resurrection is the foundation of our faith. It is what separates our Lord Jesus Christ from every other world figure. It gives unique weight to His teachings. Many great historical figures have led exexmplary lives. Many great historical figures have taught wise doctrines, and many great historical figures have even died for the truth. But only one great historical figures has ever risen again. Among the vast array of the greatest heroes of history, of Christ alone can it be said,

he rose again on the third day, in fulfilment of the scriptures.

Why, exactly, is this claim so crucial?

First of all, in the Resurrection of Christ, goodness and power finally unite. No one was as good as Christ, but what good would that goodness have done if Evil had won the day in the end?

Secondly, in the Resurrection of Christ, love proves that it is stronger than death. In Christ and in His Resurrection, a new — a wildly new — hope dawns for all of mankind. This hope that if we stay united to HIm through the Love that springs from faith and grace, will see us rise with Him; will see us rise with Him from our graves, and see us live with Him in the vast and eternal adventure of heaven.

Not one other person offers such a victory and such a hope, because not one other person has risen from the dead to be able to offer it. Not one person but the Lord.

A reason for sacrifice

Without a vibrantm real faith in the Resurrection, we are unable to follow Christ in the way that we ought, as we don’t have any reason to make the necessary sacrifices.

In the sixteenth century, St Thomas More was condemned to death for refusing to support the claim of Henry VIII of England to be head of the Church. While in prison, awaiting his execution, King Henry sent Thomas’s wife to him to try to convince him to change his mind.

She begged him to obey the king so that his life might be spared. St Thomas answered,

And how long, my dear wife, do you think I shall live if I do what you ask me?

She answered,

For at least twenty years.

He answered

Well, if you had said twenty thousand years, that would have been something; but it would, indeed, be a very poor thing to live even that number of years, and run the risk of losing my God in eternity.

Every single one of us faces temptaions in life. Every week, every day, every hour, we are invited to compromise with out selfish tendencies. How can we stay faithful? How can we do the right thing? How can we be true to our friendship with Christ?

His Resurrection, His Victory over sin and death, can give us victory in our daily struggles, just as it gave St Thomas More victory in his. This is why it has been revealed to us.

Today, and each day this week, let us stir up our faith in the Resurrection. Let us polish it up, so that its light can inspire us and others to be better followers of Christ this week. As we say the Creed this week, let us really mean it when we say,

I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.