“But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” 1 Corinthians 15:20

The scripture readings for today's reflection can be found at https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091820.cfm 

 In our first reading for today St. Paul is talking about something central to our faith in Jesus Christ: the resurrection of the dead. This is something that we, as Catholic Christians, are called to believe. Every Sunday at Mass, when we pray the Nicene Creed we pray: “For our sake he suffered death and was buried and rose again on the third day.” Further, we believe that at the end of time, on judgement day, we all will rise from the dead and be brought before the Judgement seat of God. In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 994, we read, “It is Jesus himself who on the last day will raise up those who have believed in him, who have eaten his body and drunk his blood.” Encountering Jesus in our lives can and should change how we live out that faith in the resurrection. 

St. Paul, before coming to faith in Jesus Christ, was well known as Saul, and for his zealousness in going after the early Christians and putting them to death because of their faith in Jesus and the resurrection. Then on the road to Damascus, Paul encountered Jesus, with a flash of a bright light, and falling to the ground Paul heard the Lord say, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” After encountering Jesus and learning that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, Paul came to faith in Jesus and the resurrection. The women in today’s gospel, after encountering Jesus, and being cured of the issues they faced, came to believe in Jesus as Messiah, and the message of the resurrection in the life to come. 

 We, too, come face to face with Jesus at every Holy Mass we attend. We encounter Him in the Most Blessed Sacrament, where we receive Him completely, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. This daily encounter with Jesus should strengthen our faith in the Resurrection. The women in the gospel provided for Jesus and the apostles out of their resources, and Paul preached the resurrection of Christ from the dead. We, also, are called to share this faith in the resurrection in whatever way we can, whether it’s with the financial support of the Church or by serving Christ in those who the Lord has placed in our lives. We are to bring the Good News of the Resurrection to everyone by how we live out our faith. 

 Lord Jesus, increase our faith in You and in Your Resurrection! Amen.