Christ is Risen: He has Destroyed Death!
Fr. John Riccardo
April 28, 2021
“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage” Hebrews 2:14-15.
As we continue to reflect in this Easter season on the practical difference Jesus’ resurrection makes in our lives here and now, this passage from Hebrews is a most timely one. By all accounts, as the pandemic continues to go on and on and on, ours seems to be a culture that is truly held bound by a fear of death.
Are you? Am I?
I don’t mean to be flippant here, but news flash: you and I are going to die. It’s the only thing we know for certain is going to happen to us in this life. It might be from COVID-19, it might be from a traffic accident, it might be from a heart attack or cancer or some other disease or mishap, but it’s going to happen. For sure. Plan on it. Plan for it.
But so what? Jesus has destroyed the power of death!
Today is the 5th anniversary of my brother’s departure from this world. He died two months after my father died. It felt like being run over by a truck twice. My mother died not that long after. Clearly, the fact that Jesus has destroyed the power of death does not mean that death will not come for us; but death cannot hold us anymore. Nor does this mean that we do not grieve those who have left this life. I grieve my family members, and others, intensely. I miss them greatly. This is the appropriate human response to death. But I know I will see them again, and I know I still have a real communion with them, and with all those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith. And I know this because of the resurrection of Jesus.
Paul is so certain of this truth that he can taunt death: “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? … Thanks be to God who has given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:55,57).
As we continue to deliberately and intentionally think and pray about the difference Jesus’ resurrection makes, let us beg the Holy Spirit to help us know the same truth Paul knew like never before, and to make us joyful and hopeful witnesses in a culture riddled with, if not paralyzed by, anxiety, fear, and despair. Let us look and pray for opportunities to share with others why we are no longer held bound by the fear of death, and seek to be a means by which they too can come to know the freedom of the children of God. As Mary on our team says over and over again, “Rescued people rescue people.” Let’s go rescue people!
To assist our prayer this week, the following excerpt from a homily given by St. John Chrysostom might be especially helpful.