Edward Yee
Christ’s resurrection is not only the most important event in human history, but also the permanent gift that God the Father gives humankind so that, even today, everyone can receive and experience the living Jesus in every minute of our lives. (cf. Mt. 28:20) The Risen Christ comes to us, no different from the first time He came to his disciples in the upper room, and brings His peace to us. (cf. Jn. 20:19-22) The living Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit as His gift, freely and unconditionally. Once we accept this glorious gift, we have the power, courage, and wisdom to face the challenges of our daily lives. Even in the darkest hours and in the midst of pain, once we have experienced the living Christ, we can rejoice (cf. Jn. 20:20), with our hearts “burning” (Lk. 24:32), as the disciples did when they saw Jesus.
The Living Flame of Love: St. John of the Cross’s Mystical Encounter
In Carmelite tradition, St. John of the Cross’s famous poem, The Living Flame of Love, is among the most beautifully articulated writings on this “burning” love for Christ. Fr. Iain Matthew, OCD, the Carmelite expert in St. John, concisely explains the four stanzas of the poem: “The flame reaches the deepest centre of the soul, and calls her into the future (stanza 1), gives life in place of death (stanza 2), empowers the soul to love and knows the beloved (stanza 3), and preserves the relationship in tenderness (stanza 4).” (Matthew, Teresianum 68 (2017/1), p.89) This flame is the Spirit of the Bridegroom – the living Christ, the Holy Spirit. (Living Flame 1.3) Only when the Holy Spirit touches us can we “be in touch with Christ.” (CCC, 683) Christ dwells within us and heals our souls: O sweet and healing burning/ O wound that gives delight!/ Gentle hand, whose touch is a caress/ (Stanza 2) The poem is written based on the saint’s real and mystical encounter with the living Christ, not merely some feeling or psychology. Nor is St. John engaging literary romanticism here. This real encounter is the most personal and loving relationship to the extent that St. John called Christ the “Bridegroom” and “Beloved”.
Recognising the Risen Christ: Lessons from The Emmaus Disciples
St. John’s encounter, as well as other saintly people’s witness, naturally prompts one to ask: if Christ is living among us, why can’t I encounter the living Christ now? The New Testament repeatedly points out that the resurrected Jesus has been recognised by His disciples: Mary Magdala (Jn. 20:16), the disciples (Lk. 24:37), the beloved disciple and Peter (Jn. 21:7), and the two Emmaus disciples (Lk. 24:31). The detailed account of the Emmaus disciples encountering the risen Christ provides some insights. In the first place, the two disciples were “conversing all the things that had occurred.” Although they encountered Christ without recognising Him, they continue to open themselves and engage in dialogue with Him. They acted as witnesses to others’ experience of the risen Christ. They were explained the revelation and prophecy of the Messiah “from Moses to all the prophets” in “all the scriptures.” Their hearts were burning during their encounter. Finally, at the breaking of bread, they recognised Christ. Similarly, to encounter the living Christ, one needs awareness of Christ: consistently thinking and conversing about faith and God’s work. Sharing spiritual things with others and dialoging with Christ (i.e., prayer) enhances our sensitivity to Christ’s encounter. Furthermore, knowledge about Jesus is essential, although faith is not merely about knowledge. The two sources of knowing Christ are the Scriptures and the Church. The Catechism’s elucidation of Catholicism spans both the Old and New Testaments, encompassing the teaching of the prophets and the Church Fathers. The more we know about Christ, the easier it is to recognise Him and His work in our lives. Finally, participation in liturgy and sacraments is important. It is through the Eucharist and sacraments that one can confirm one’s encounter with Christ.
Today, Let the Resurrected Christ Come into Our Lives
The resurrected Christ gives us hope in our everyday lives. We are no longer “slaves” to death because, as St. Paul explains repeatedly in his letters, Jesus is the “first fruit” of our future bodily resurrection. (1 Cor. 15:20-28) Of course, not every day do we face death, but every day we face misery. (cf. Gen. 3:17-19) By resurrecting the suffering Jesus on the Cross, who has faced mockery, betrayal, loneliness, humiliation, injustice, and physical pain, God gives His answer to our sufferings. Our Father, too, will relieve our hardships and give us hope to endure them. (cf. 2 Cor. 4:16-18; Rom. 5:1-5) The Risen Christ is our Light even in our darkest hours. We must bear in mind that resurrection is not merely a historical event; it means that Jesus is alive and, more importantly, living among us now. As Pope Benedict XVI explained, Jesus’ death is an act of love, and this love becomes immortal through resurrection. Immortal love can pass through the barrier of “I” and “Thou”, entering others’ existence. (Pope Benedict XVI, Easter Vigil Homily, 2008) Jesus’ love is so powerful that it can open everyone and become “one in Christ”. (Gal 3:28) We experience the living Jesus in our prayers, the liturgy, in the Eucharist, and in our Church missions as a reality. The living Jesus talks to, guides, teaches, consoles, and holds us, just as the two disciples experienced on the road to Emmaus.
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