THE TESTIMONY OF THE APOSTLES

Acts 10:37–43:
“He himself commanded us to preach to the people…”

What twelve poor, uncouth fishermen, almost old in the deepest ignorance; men of a faint disposition and a weak heart; naturally low and timid souls, without education, without support, with no other skill than fishing and nets… that these twelve fishermen could convince the world and make it believe that this Jesus of Nazareth, who had died on a cross, had risen again, is a prodigy that seems almost as astonishing as the very prodigy of the Resurrection!

But when one considers that men, who had no interest whatsoever in pretending, could not have wanted to deceive us at the certain risk of their lives;  That men so skeptical of their Master during his lifetime could not be deceived after his death, and believe him resurrected without the most compelling proof; in short, that men like these, who performed the most astounding miracles to establish the faith of the Resurrection, could not deceive us… shouldn't it rather astonish us that there were unbelievers capable of resisting his testimony?

But is our belief perhaps more Christian?

And by believing in the truly resurrected Jesus Christ, are we perhaps more Christian?

Since the mystery of the Resurrection contains, so to speak, or at least confirms all the others, this mystery, when truly believed, converted the whole world.

We believe it; but what effect does faith in this mystery have today on the understanding and hearts of Christians?

The Resurrection of the Savior is the sure guarantee, and it must at the same time be the model for our own.  It is the foundation of our faith, and it must be equally the foundation of our hope; and both must govern our lives.

Where is this reform found today?

Dead to sin through penance—which should be the fruit of the great fast we have just completed—a new life should be the ordinary effect of Easter.

Are there many people of whom it can truly be said that they have risen?

It is necessary to know first if there are many who have died to sin, to criminal habits, to voluntary and dangerous occasions of sin; if there are many who have risen to grace.

After a true resurrection, the change is visible, the reform is palpable.

Are many reforms, many changes seen in the faithful after these celebrations?

And those who dispensed themselves during Lent from the salutary rigors of penance, do they taste at Easter the sweetness of a holy resurrection?

Fr. Jean Croisset, S.J.