“There is more evidence that Jesus rose from the dead than there is that Julius Caesar ever lived or that Alexander the Great died at the age of thirty-three.”

“Why would the apostles lie? Liars always lie for selfish reasons. If they lied, what was their motive, what did they get out of it? What they got out of it was misunderstanding, rejection, persecution, torture, and martyrdom. Hardly a list of perks!” - Peter Kreeft: Philosophy Professor at Boston College

Scripture Text: (1 COR 15:12-20)

Brothers and sisters:

If Christ is preached as raised from the dead,

how can some among you say there is no resurrection of the dead?

If there is no resurrection of the dead,

then neither has Christ been raised.

And if Christ has not been raised, then empty too is our preaching;

empty, too, your faith.

Then we are also false witnesses to God,

because we testified against God that he raised Christ,

whom he did not raise if in fact the dead are not raised.

For if the dead are not raised, neither has Christ been raised,

and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain;

you are still in your sins.

Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.

If for this life only we have hoped in Christ,

we are the most pitiable people of all.

But now Christ has been raised from the dead,

the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

The first reading from Mass talks about the very reason why we all choose to practice our faith.  Our faith hinges upon the resurrection of Christ, which signifies his triumph over the power of death.  It is a strong reminder of God's immense love for us and also his immense power.  

It is quite interesting though that this love of God seems to escape us at times.  We sometimes fail to realize that the Lord has undergone a lot of suffering for our sakes.  In the comforts or preoccupations of our daily lives, we can forget that the Lord has risen from the dead and that his love is being given to us every day.  Once we lose sight of this love because we are so preoccupied with ourselves, it is easy for us to think that everything in life should be in accordance with our own standards and that nothing should ever come in the way of plans and projects.  

But the Lord calls us to come and join him in proclaiming his love to others, we who are so unworthy of such a task.  Yet if we seriously look at our lives, we will realize how he has always been present to help and guide us in our personal journeys.  Therefore, with gratitude and the strength that comes from God, we are invited to announce the goodness of God to others.