We cannot prove the resurrection – it is ultimately about FAITH The stories themselves: If the gospel writers wanted to make up the resurrection, they would have spent more time trying to get the story straight (or get all the details to be the same) Women were looked down upon, and the stories showed that women were the first to find Jesus’ tomb and tell the disciples

The experience of the disciples Jesus’ followers scattered and abandoned Jesus when he was going through the persecution, but after he died, the disciples suddenly were boldly professing their faith in Jesus – How did they get the courage to do this? Many people were martyrs – they died in the name of Jesus Christ The proclamation of the early church Early church did not have to try to EXPLAIN the resurrection, but they PROCLAIMED it as if it was the truth

Paschal – “Lamb” in Greek Each year at the Passover Sedar Meal, Jews would kill a lamb in order to be eaten. At the LAST SUPPER, Jesus offered himself up to be killed and eaten like the lamb PASCHAL MYSTERY – the reality that Jesus has gone through death to life The Resurrection means that death will overcome life, despair by hope, sorrow by joy, fear by trust, and hate by love We are united to Jesus in his suffering in death and resurrection in life

Jesus’ death on the cross is our “exodus” – we experience SALVATION SALVATION – saved from sin to live with GOD The Lamb of God Jesus was the Lamb of God because he gives himself – body and blood – in the Eucharist and on the cross like the lamb slain at Passover

Jesus’ body was not resuscitated – it RESURRECTED His body was a glorified body – not completely physical Only people with eyes of faith could see Jesus Jesus is not with us physically anymore, he is with us in SPIRIT – the HOLY SPIRIT We need to see and believe Jesus in our lives with our heart, not with our mind