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The Tomb of Christ
Apr
7
Written by:
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Easter Sunday 2007
Pastor's Column
Most of you are aware of the discovery channel special on what was purported to be The Tomb of Christ that was aired a few weeks ago. Every year during Lent and/or Holy Week lately we have been treated to one of these so-called documentaries that attempt to debunk Christianity. This particular one has already been withdrawn due to the almost universal scorn seen among all serious archaeologists (Christian and otherwise) heaped upon this claim. The whole thesis never made sense from the beginning, for if Jesus died a natural death after a long life and marriage, why on earth did all of the apostles save one give their lives proclaiming the resurrection of the dead? If that had been the case, I certainly wouldn't have bothered, and neither would they. For that matter, why would a poor carpenter from Nazareth have an expensive tomb in Jerusalem anyway, a place he never lived? Besides all this, the names "Jesus" (Joshua) and "Miriam" (Mary) were very common in that period. Only someone with a bias against Christianity, and no faith would jump to the conclusion that this was Christ's tomb!
Who is buried in Christ's tomb? The answer, of course, is nobody. But this answer takes faith. The problem with Christianity, if you can call it a problem, is that Christ is not about to prove his existence to anyone. A scientist-atheist recently said, "All I am waiting for is some proof. Give me some evidence that Christ was raised from the dead, and then I will believe in him."
This is precisely what Christ will never do. Faith is a gift of God, and faith is everything in this world. You might almost call it a calculated risk, but it's a good risk. A life of faith in Jesus not only frees us from our sins but gets us on the path to eternal life. Yes, the resurrection from the dead is a big claim, but who among us hasn't felt that there has to be more to this life than meets the eye? Jesus remains somewhat hidden in the present world precisely so that people of good will can seek and find him in faith.
On the reverse side of this sheet you will find some information about how to join the Catholic League for Civil Rights. I have belonged to this organization for many years. They stick up for our rights as Catholics in the face of bias and intolerance toward our faith and keep you informed about what is being said and done around the country. Let's resolve to be proactive in our faith this Easter!
Father Gary
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