Our God is living. He is present. He acts. He shows He is living by expressing His love for us in tangible ways. All other so-called gods are "the handiwork of men. They have mouths but speak not; they have eyes but see not; they have ears but hear not; they have noses but smell not; they have hands but feel not; they have feet but walk not; they utter no sound from their throat" (Ps 115:4-7).

For three days, it looked as if our God was dead. He was crucified and died. This seemed to prove that He was not God. However, He rose from the dead. This proves He is God. Jesus is "the Living One" in a totally unique way (see Lk 24:5). Jesus proclaims: "There is nothing to fear. I am the First and the Last and the One Who lives. Once I was dead but now I live — forever and ever" (Rv 1:17-18). The old hymn witnesses to this: "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone."

"It is true He was crucified out of weakness, but He lives by the power of God. We too are weak in Him, but we live with Him by God's power in us" (2 Cor 13:4). "If we have died with Him we shall also live with Him" (2 Tm 2:11). Live in Jesus, the living God, Who is Life Itself (Jn 14:6). Let Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit live in you (see Jn 17:23). Let God make a living in you.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, February 22, 1999

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 24, 1999