The Holy Apostles Aristarchus, Pudens and Trophimus (54-68)
Acts 4:23-31; John 5:24-30
Read John 5:24-30
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen!
When we contemplate the deep desire of our heart we can conclude that within us is a built-in thirst for life beyond this short earthly existence. In fact, the Christian teaching is that we were created by God for eternal life, in union with Him. The fabric of this desire runs deep into the very core of our being, but because of sin, suffering, corruption and death, we are not able to actualize our deepest longing. Sin is that which separates us from God, who is the source of our life. Without God, we suffer corruption and death. This fallen human condition is our common experience which we cannot escape. We can try to ignore the reality of death. We can cover it up with earthly distraction, but this only lasts for so long before we come face to face with our finite existence. In fact, this last year of the pandemic has made the reality of how vulnerable we are when facing death even more real for many people.
It is good for us to know the reality of the fallen human condition. For when we come face to face with death then the Gospel makes sense. How can the Good News of the resurrection of Christ be received as Good News unless we first realize that we need a Saviour? We may be able to delay the inevitable, but we cannot ultimately save ourselves. We need Jesus and this is why his assuring and comforting words speak to the deepest longing within us. He reminds us today that God cares. That God has not abandoned us. That through His Son we have a way to overcome this fallen existence and fulfil our deep longing for eternal life. Those who believe in Jesus and who live according to what they believe follow the path of eternal life set forth by Jesus’ death and resurrection. Those united to Jesus, who die with Him, will also rise with Him.