2nd Sunday of Easter: The Seed

As we continue to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord on this 2nd Sunday of Easter we are reminded of three things from the readings, 1) Our new life in Jesus, 2) The Promise of Jesus, and 3) How do we recognize Jesus now?

Our new life in Jesus consists in this, that even though we must die an earthly death, we have a new life awaiting us. That new life is in heaven and the resurrection. Think of earthly seeds. A seed is not much to look at it, some even look strange and ugly, yet when buried in the earth they undergo a type of dying. The outer shell must give way to that new life that is struggling to burst forth. Eventually we have a new plant or sapling and when we see it we are in awe and we recognize beauty, the beauty of life. Jesus underwent this type of dying so that all of us would not just remain dormant seeds in the ground, but rather we too would burst forth with new life. St. Paul reminds us,

“But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead came also through a human being. For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the firstfruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ . . .(1 Cor. 15:20-23, NAB)

Death is a difficult thing, the ultimate letting go and trusting in God, the ultimate act of love, to give back what belongs to God. Once we do we share in life that is so wonderful, beautiful, and awesome that our words fail to describe it even remotely. Jesus experienced the seed bursting forth first, but he did so in order that what he did we too shall do, hence his promise to us.

Jesus’ new life is his, he allowed himself to be arrested, torutured, and crucified. He also was the first seed to come forth in this new life, the Resurrection. But that new life is also promised to us. As I posted for Easter Sunday about the young girl Akaine who painted that beautiful picture of Jesus in how she remembers him from her visions, a young boy Colton who experienced Jesus and heaven also confirmed Akaine’s painting and pointed out to his dad that is what Jesus looks like after looking through numerous pictures. Colton had no knowledge of Akaine or her painting when he saw it and yet he confirmed it. The book of Colton’s vision is entitled “Heaven is for Real.” Out of all the places I thought I would find inspiration for Easter I found it in the perspective of a five year old boy and his vision of Jesus and heaven. As you read the book you begin to understand Jesus’ promise, I have come so that you may have life and have it to the full.” When he describes heaven part of you wants to go right now, because we get a glimpse of what the seed looks like that bursts through from the ground. Think of what the Apostles felt, saw, and understood when they recognized Jesus in their midst, the Risen Jesus. They must have felt heaven, we know Thomas did.

Jesus wants us to recognize him, not only crucified, and that is important for we bear the crucified Lord on our persons, but also the Risen Jesus. We must recognize him in our midst and we must also recognize the Risen Jesus in our neighbors. You see, what does the promise of life really mean if I don’t see the Lord? You may ask, "where is Jesus I do not see him?" He is with us in the Eucharist, truly present in body, blood, soul, and divinity, the Risen Lord in our presence. Since we all partake of the Risen Lord, then he is also in us. Think of how Thomas responded once he recognized Jesus, “My Lord and my God.” Do I respond the same way when I recognize Jesus?

Even though we must all pass from death to life, we can hold our heads high, because Jesus rose from the dead, he also promises us the same, and finally he never left us as orphans. He sent the Holy Spirit so that his presence would still be recognized so that even though we see the death of others, and we will experience it ourselves, we never really lose heart, because in our presence, always is Our Lord and our God! AMEN

Fr. John