BIBLICAL TEACHING
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14. The 140 Resurrection, Jesus Lord of History
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15. The New 150 Creation – gift of the Spirit – the Mystery 151 of Reconciliation
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contemplate the mystery of the love of God who wished to amaze us with his capacity for total surrender in order to restore trust to his lost creation (Rom 5:8). Jesus’ death and resurrection teach us the meaning of our own life: the one who gives his life comes to a new birth (Lk 17:33; Jn 12:24-26; 16:21; 17:9). His death and resurrection point out to us the demands of genuine love (Jn 15:13) and of ministry (2 Cor 6:3-10; 12:14) as well as the value of our own trials (Jn 15:2; 2 Cor 12:9-10). Jesus is risen as he had said he would (Mk 9:9-10), according to the Scriptures (Lk 24:25-27; 1 Cor 15:4; Acts 2:30). The appearances of the risen Jesus in Jerusalem and in Galilee: Mt 28; Mk 16; Lk 24; Jn 20 and 21; 1 Cor 15:58. The Resurrection has a double meaning: Jesus has returned to life (Lk 24:5; Acts 2:24) and Jesus has been glorified or exalted (Jn 17:1; Acts 2:33; 3:13). Jesus’ last appearance (or the Ascension) expresses this second aspect of the Resurrection (Mt 28:17-20; Lk 24:50; Acts 1:9). In being raised, the humanity of Jesus is totally transformed by divine energy, receiving the fullness of life which the Father communicates to his Son (Jn 1:14; 17:1; Acts 2:32; Rom 1:3). Now Jesus is recognized as Son of God. Being the Son, splendor of the Father (Heb 1:1), Jesus, Son-ofGod-become-human, is the manifestation of the invisible God in this created universe (Jn 14:9; Col 1:15). In him the promises of the Old Testament are fulfilled (Mt 12:41-42; 23:35-36; Jn 8:56; Rev 5). Now as a human being, he is the head of all creation (Col 1:18), above all creatures, whether material or spiritual (Heb 1:4-14). Jesus has come from God (Jn 13:3; 16:27; 17:8) and returns to the Father through his death and resurrection (Jn 16:28) so that the filial relationship which unites him to the Father can come to perfection (Acts 2:33; Rom 1:4). To express her faith in Jesus, the Son-of-God-become-human, one God with the Father, the Church calls him Lord. Of the two names denoting God – God and Lord – the Church kept the first for the Father and the second for Christ (see Rom 10:9; Phil 1:11; com. on Jn 11:2; 13:2; 20:2). Jesus replaces the figure of God-Alone with that of God-Communion. Communion between the Father and the Son (Jn 1:1, 1:18; com. on Jn 5:19; Mt 11:26; Jn 13:32; 17). A communion in the Holy Spirit (Jn 14:16; 15:26). The church of the Apostles baptizes in the unique name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Mt 28:19) and acknowledges only one God in three Divine Persons which we call the Holy Trinity: 1 Cor 6:11; 12:4; 2 Cor 13:14; Rev 1. The risen Jesus is now Lord of History: that is to say that he rules over and directs the material and spiritual forces, visible or invisible, which shape our history: Jn 12:31; Rev 1:18; 6; Col 1:18; 2:10 and com. on Mk 16:9. Paul shows Christ to be superior to the heavenly powers which, in those days, were believed to be in charge of human fate and history (Eph 1:19-22; Col 1:16). This reign of Christ means that humanity has come of age (Gal 4:3-5). From then on salvation takes place through the Name of Jesus, that is, through the divine power (Phil 2:9-10) which radiates from him (Acts 4:30; 1 Jn 2:12; com. on Mk 16:17). Every saving act proceeds at the same time from Christ and from the Spirit (1 Cor 12:4-6; 2 Cor 3:16-17) and is attributed to Christ the Lord or to his Spirit (Jn 6:35-36; 7:38-39; Mk 9:38; Lk 11:20; Eph 4:7 and 1 Cor 12:7). Jesus did not come only to correct sins, but to renew creation (Jn 5:20). This new creation is achieved through the gift of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 15:45). Above all, this work means a resurrection of people and universal reconciliation (Jn 5:21). Jesus’ violation of the Sabbath (Mk 2:28; Jn 5:29) and the Sabbath replacement by Sunday (see com. on Acts 20:7) reveals his intention to re-arrange the first creation which took place in 6 days (Jn 5:17 and com. on Gen 2:3; Rev 3:14). The fulfillment of what the prophets had announced (Is 25:6-10; 32:15-20; 65:17-19; Ezk 37; 47:1-12). The death of Jesus expresses the death of all that preceded him (2 Cor 5:14; Gal 2:19). Sins are forgiven (Rom 6:10; Heb 9:28). The laws and forms of religion taught in the Bible itself are no longer valid (Rom 7:4; Gal 4:5; 5:4-6; Col 2:16). All distinctions of sex, class and nation are abolished (Gal 3:28; 6:15; 1 Cor 12:13; Col 3:11). We are new creatures (2 Cor 5:17; Gal 6:15;