Not Meristic

200 Words: The resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth is authentic and integral.

Evidently, our Gospel has three parts:

Two disciples telling their story of encounter with Christ on the ‘way.’

Jesus appearing to the apostles, offering peace, manifesting his wounds and eating fish to demonstrate the reality of his rising.

Jesus interpreting his suffering and resurrection that gives new impetus to preaching repentance and the forgiveness of sins (Luke 24).

The resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth is authentic and integral.

It is authentic.

The empty tomb aids belief:

It was the practice in the ancient world to raid a tomb, unwrap the shroud around the body, throw the body into a corner of the tomb, and sell the shroud on the black market.

The tomb of Jesus was different. The shroud was left-behind. The body missing.

It is integral.

The resurrection appearances confirm that Jesus was raised body, soul and spirit.

This will be our lot, too, if we are faithful to our baptism:

Body resurrected – including our senses and emotions.

Soul resurrected – including our intellect, will and memory.

Spirit resurrected – including our capacity for God himself.

Resurrection is holistic, not meristic.

Every single part of us will be drawn into the great act of resurrection.

Nothing is excluded.

Amen.