As I See It

by Fr. Vin

How Do We Know?

…that Christ is truly risen from the dead?  Every generation of disciples since the first has had to face that question, since we didn’t actually experience what the Gospels say that the first disciples did.  Of course we “take it on faith” from what they told us, but our Church hasn’t been content to leave it at that.  Right from the start it’s asked people to examine the evidence (just as we’ll hear in the Gospel story about “doubting” Thomas).  What our Church asks us to look for as evidence of Christ’s resurrection is simply this: His continuing power to change people’s lives.

That’s why our Church baptizes adults at Easter.  To take Christian discipleship seriously makes no worldly sense.  To commit oneself publicly to loving one’s enemies, forgiving seventy times seven, praying for persecutors, and all the rest that the Gospel requires isn’t the way to “get ahead” in this or any culture.  It probably won’t lead to worldly happiness.  And yet people do it.  Who but the Risen Christ through His Holy Spirit could be at the root of that?

It’s interesting that there’s even scientific evidence to show that there’s a mysterious power at work in the church.  (Science can’t say that the source of that power is Christ, of course, but science can demonstrate the power that seems to exist in people who are seriously engaged in the life of a church congregation, as compared to those who aren’t.)  Take some examples:

As compared to people who aren’t engaged, people who are actively engaged in congregational life display characteristics like this:*

◙        They donate more than twice as much time to community service (not only at the church);

◙        They are significantly more likely to say that they are highly satisfied with their lives;

◙        They are 10% more likely to give to nonreligious charities;

◙        They donate about 350% more money to charities (including nonreligious charities);

◙        They are ten times more likely to be spiritually committed.

In addition, people who only call themselves Christian but do not regularly participate in worship and/or small community faith sharing have been shown to be no different in their attitudes and behaviors than nonbelievers on issues such as ethics in the workplace, materialism, concern for a just society, and charitable behavior.  But when people worship regularly and/or participate in faith-based small group sharing, those attitudes and behaviors are measurably different.  Regular worshippers are different from those who don’t worship regularly on each of these issues.  The Risen Christ has the power to change lives, and church congregations demonstrate that in measurable ways every day.

That’s not to say that we’re perfect, or that non-churchgoers aren’t capable of heroic generosity and forgiveness.  Christ’s Holy Spirit can certainly work outside the church, and churchgoers aren’t by any means free from sin.  But if we want evidence that Christ is truly risen, we can find it. 

When some of John the Baptizer’s disciples wanted to find out about Jesus, the Gospel tells us that they didn’t inquire about his teaching: They asked, “Where do you live?”  He answered, “Come and see.”  That’s the invitation Christ still offers to every person.  If you want to see whether I am truly risen, He says, come and see.  Become involved in the community that centers its life on me.  Let what that community values change you, over time.  It won’t be automatic, it won’t always be easy, and it probably won’t be quick.  Few things of lasting value ever are.  But the claim that a man has come back from the dead, if true, changes everything.  Wouldn’t you like to find out for yourself whether or not it’s true?  Come and see.  Have a blessed Easter and, until next week, peace.

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