Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gǒn and Paul Chǒng Ha-sang (Memorial)

Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 

Our decaying bodies one day being brought to life? To some of the Christians in Corinth, that seemed impossible! So St. Paul explained why belief in the resurrection had to be the bedrock of the faith they professed: “If the dead are not raised, neither has Christ been raised, and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain” (1 Corinthians 15:16-17).

That Jesus rose from the dead—and that we Christians will also be raised one day—can admittedly be difficult for us to wrap our heads around, too. After all, Jesus was raised from the grave after three days of lying in a tomb. And he didn’t just resume his former bodily life as a resuscitated person would. He rose up bearing the wounds of his crucifixion, but he had been changed and glorified—and he is alive in this same body in heaven, right now and forever.

However, as amazing as this is, Jesus’ resurrection wasn’t meant just for him. His rising from the dead was “the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20). On the last day, we believe, each of us will stand with him in heaven—not just as kindred spirits, but as bodily persons.

If you, like some of the Corinthians, struggle with believing in your own resurrection, think about some of the “firstfruits” you experience now, in this life. Because of Christ’s resurrection, you have the freedom to call God your Father, to experience the forgiveness of your sins, and to receive the grace to follow the Lord. This is the guarantee of your risen life to come—a deposit on a future when you will overcome all the effects of sin, including death.

What a day that will be! You will have your same body, but it will be glorified, as Jesus’ body was. You will have the same memories and personality, but you will be transformed by God’s love, without your tendency to sin. Isn’t that’s amazing?

Today, fill your mind with this hope. Set your heart on Jesus and all the graces that flow, even now, from his risen body to you.

“Lord, I wait in joyful hope to be with you one day, body and soul, in heaven.”

1 Corinthians 15:12-20
Psalm 17:1, 6-8, 15
Luke 8:1-3