Happy Easter to you all! As I contemplate the resurrection of our Lord from the tomb, one word seems to take center stage. It is the word arise. In the early morning hours of that first Easter, I imagine God saying softly to his Son, “Arise!” as our Savior sits up and walks out of the tomb alive. The word arise was spoken by Jesus himself in his ministry when he told a young child who had died, “Little girl, I say to you, arise” (Mark 5:41). He said it again when he raised a widow’s son: “Young man, I say to you, arise” (Luke 7:14). The miracle of Easter is that the risen Jesus says, “Arise!” to each one of us. Arise to the sure hope of heaven. Arise to full forgiveness. Arise to the definitive defeat of death. Arise to new life in him day after day. Arise to go and tell others that he is alive. As we arise each morning as Easter people, our path ahead is wonderfully clear. Alleluia! Amen!
