Editorial
 
The Children of the Resurrection

 
Jesus suffered, died and rose from the dead. He completed his salvific act through his passion, death and resurrection. We, the followers of Jesus, have also to suffer with Jesus, die with him and rise with him. When we suffer with him we shall also rise with him. We have then to move constantly through this suffering- - death- resurrection process.
 
Our very life on this earth is a participation in the resurrection. Its fulfillment will be realized in the resurrection of the last day. Jesus reminds us: "Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life"(Jn 5:24). To hear Jesus' word and believe the Father who has sent him into this world, means to surrender ourselves to the will of the Father. That is true conversion; a life lived in conformity with the will of the Father. It is a transformation. To be always aligned with righteousness means suffering. To break off from sin is death. To live in Jesus is the resurrection. Those who live in Jesus are called "the children of the resurrection." Indeed they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. They are angels living with a body, living a life similar to that of angels. Jesus said to Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"(Jn 11:25-26).To believe in Jesus is suffering. It is death -it is also resurrection. That is why Jesus said that those who believe in him will never die.
 
Abraham was ready to sacrifice Isaac because of his steadfast faith in God. It was equal to the agony of death. "By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac. He who had received the promises was ready to offer up his only son"(Heb 11:17). When Abraham went through the death-resurrection process, he got Isaac back. He had the resurrection-experience.
 
May the readers and well-wishers of Vachanolsavam
experience the Resurrection here and now!
May the risen Jesus lead all of us to this experience!
 
-Editor