THE HISTORICAL TRACE OF THE RISEN ONE

In those days, ten men from every language and nation
will take hold of a Jew by the hem of his cloak
and say to him, “Let us go with you,
for we have seen that God is with you.”

Zachary 8:23

It is well known that the evangelists reinterpreted the story of Jesus in the light of his Passover. When they focused on the event of the resurrection, they emphasized two aspects: the apologetic one (the resurrection is a real event) and the theological one (the resurrection is a salvific event). One thing is clear: Easter faith does not arise from suggestion, self-conviction, or even a psychological attempt to keep the memory of the Master alive. Everything springs from Jesus’ initiative, who reveals himself to them at various times, places, and situations. Another aspect not to be forgotten: no one was a witness to the Resurrection, yet everyone can become a witness to the Living One. We ask ourselves: is there at least a historical trace of the Resurrection? It is a fact: the Risen One revealed himself to the disciples, appearing to them for forty days. Yet he did not reveal himself to the world; indeed, the world will never see him again (cf. Jn 14:19–22). What, then, are his historical traces? Perhaps the empty tomb? The linen cloths neatly folded in the tomb? The true historical trace of the Risen One is his community, which, after seeing him, bore powerful witness that he was alive. It is no coincidence that Paul will affirm that the Church is the Body of Christ in time. The seed of new life is thus discerned in the lives of the disciples who saw and believed. And this seed is made explicit in three clear signs. First of all, in the lives of the disciples. Easter raised the disciples from the dead, tearing them away from mistrust and disappointment to open them to joy and hope. This change is the work of the Lord. Then there is their reconciled life. They had abandoned, denied, and betrayed him in a cowardly way, but after Easter they find themselves freely forgiven. This ensures that the proclamation of Easter coincides with the Gospel of forgiveness. Thirdly, the liberated life of the disciples. The power that transformed men fearful of death into martyrs for the truth is the Spirit, the principle of the new creation already poured out abundantly on the cross (cf. Jn 19:30).

Commentary by d. Sandro Carotta, osb
Abbazia di Praglia (Italia)