"raise the dead" (mt 10:8)
"Your daughter is dead. Why bother the Teacher further?" —Mark 5:35
Jesus raised from the dead the daughter of Jairus (Mk 5:41ff), the son of the widow of Naim (Lk 7:14ff), and Lazarus (Jn 11:43ff). Then He commanded and empowered us, His followers, to raise the dead (Mt 10:8). After He died, He rose from the dead to live forever. At that time, "many bodies of saints who had fallen asleep were raised. After Jesus' resurrection they came forth from their tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many" (Mt 27:53).
By being baptized into Christ, we "have been raised up in company" with Him (Col 3:1; see also Eph 2:6). In our new life in Christ, we already begin to share in His risen life (see Rm 6:5). Then, as sons and daughters of the resurrection (Lk 20:36), as members of the body of Christ, the Church, we go forth to raise the dead in the name of Jesus. For example, Peter raised Dorcas from the dead (Acts 9:40) and the author of the book of Hebrews proclaims that by faith "women received back their dead through resurrection" (Heb 11:35).
Live your risen life. "Raise the dead" (Mt 10:8). Let the Lord raise your body from the dead on the last day (see 1 Thes 4:17).
Prayer: Father, teach me about Baptism and resurrection.
Promise: "You are well acquainted with the favor shown you by our Lord Jesus Christ: how for your sake He made Himself poor though He was rich, so that you might become rich by His poverty." —2 Cor 8:9
Praise: Praise to the risen Jesus! "Death has no more power over Him" (Rm 6:9). Alleluia!
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, December 16, 1999
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 18, 1999