It's a stubborn point in fact that Christians profess the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. This story is so familiar to us that we can sometimes lose sight of how stunning it must have been for Jesus' closest disciples to arrive at his burial place, only to find an empty tomb. For, as the Gospel writer John points out, they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead (Jn 20:9). Yet, what today we may take for granted, these same disciples - these Apostles of Jesus Christ - would later lay down their lives for the truth of what they believed, for the truth of what they professed, for the truth of who they would come to know as died, buried, and risen from the dead. The Christian martyrs down through the centuries are the heroic witnesses of this Profession of Faith. Jesus Christ invites each of us - He invites all of us - to new life. We begin by opening our hearts to him in the mystery of the Resurrection. Two-thousand years later there are many who, for whatever reasons, do not believe, they do not profess, they do not yet recognize with the eyes of faith. But we, by virtue of our baptism, are called to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ, truly risen from the dead for the salvation of the world, to the world that still lives in darkness. Jesus is the Light of the World. Easter morning he opened heaven for the salvation of all who come to believe in him. Be not afraid! Jesus is waiting for you when you find nothing else in this world satisfies you. For a Gospel reflection from John's account of the empty tomb please click on the image. Peace be with you!