The Risen Christ inspires people to make incredible sacrifices 
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By: Father Shay Cullen
When we see the power of evil roaming the world like a Lion devouring the innocent, making it's presence felt in the massacres of Darfur, Sudan, the suffering of the hungry and the sick, the pain of the innocent prisoners we need the strength and inspiration, hope and encouragement of the resurrection. The modern world has become so materialistic and secular that people have been seduced to abandon the God of Love for the love of other gods. The faithless have made 'Golden Calf' to worship.
New "Gods" to give their lives for, like power, money, fashion, pleasure - all that passes away. For many without faith there is no place for a saviour who died and was raised up to show that selfless love and goodness can bring happiness and fulfillment and does overcome evil and violence.
When Jesus was convicted and executed as an upstart religious revolutionary disturbing the set ways of the elite rulers who were the rich and powerful, they had to get rid of Him.
He wanted to give equality to the filthy beggars and the poor. The exploited women were to have first place in the Kingdom of the rich and wealthy unless they repented and believed the Gospel would never make it.
He knew that the only way to overcome the 'sins of the world', the greed, corruption, abuse and killing was to bring about the 'Kingdom' of justice, equality, and dignity so all could be equally God's Children. Jesus knew that he would suffer and die first.
That total self-giving we witness in the life and death of Jesus of Nazareth is the one selfless reality that cannot and could not be ignored by humankind. Two thousand years later, there are billions who are inspired and live by his word and example.
His frightened disciples and followers lived in depression and fear immediately after his death but by his resurrection and the power of the spirit of love they were transformed and were filled with his living and loving presence. They were empowered and overcame their fear of the authorities, spoke out and stood up for all Jesus died for. To this day countless missionaries, and true Christians are doing likewise.
The disciples and all who came to believe made him present again fully alive to others in their words and actions. Their mission extended his presence and love in the world and so does ours. He came alive in them and lived on serving, healing, teaching, establishing the Kingdom of love and justice, truth and integrity. This was the resurrection as experienced by the believer.
It is much more than the physical overcoming of death it is the coming alive of compassion for the poor, the selfless act of commitment to justice the fearless speaking out of the truth - come what may.
That is what Easter is all about - being alive as Jesus was. We cant be true followers if we are not doing what he did - being with others as he was, caring and being compassionate, healing and helping, believing and trusting that he will give us the strength to rise up over adversity as he did. His example of service to others was most powerfully seen during the last supper when he washed the feet of his disciples. This is how it is to be with you, he taught them, not to lord it over others but to help and be of service to others in his name.
For disciples of all ages, Jesus is inspiration for life - He is our God. The world may have their passing Gods of glitz and glitter, we have Jesus Christ - alive and with us for all time. (End)
