On this greatest of Christian feasts, Easter Sunday or Pascha, we take renewed hope from Christ’s Resurrection and the promise it gives us for our own resurrection and life after death. One saint believed that this holiday should provide us the opportunity not only to rejoice, but also to examine how we can die to sin and rise to new righteousness (1 Peter 2:24).
St. Catherine of Siena was a 14th century Dominican tertiary who was illiterate for much of her life and died very young, but had a massive impact on history. And while she advised popes and rulers, while she received visits from the wealthy and praise from the holy, she always believed the most important task of her life was to grow closer to Jesus Christ. Her reflection in a letter she wrote about Easter is therefore just as applicable to Christians today as it was almost seven centuries ago.
Catherine urged, “Go into the tomb of self-knowledge, and with Magdalen ask, ‘Who will roll back the stone from the tomb for me? For the stone (that is, the guilt of sin) is so heavy that I can’t budge it.’”
But as soon as a sinner has recognized his guilt and expressed true repentance, Christ is already there to accept that repentance, forgive, and assist the sinner in changing his life. “And as soon as you have acknowledged and confessed how imperfect and heavy you are, you will see two angels, who will roll this stone away,” Catherine reflected in mystical language. “I mean that divine help will send you the angel of holy love and reverence for God (a love that is never alone but gives us the company of love for our neighbors), and the angel of hatred (accompanied by true humility and patience), to roll this stone away.”
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Obviously, she is referring to hatred of evil, which is part of and harmonious with love for God. The more we love God, the more we will hate offenses against His goodness. Catherine continued, “Persevere in staying there until you find Christ risen in your soul by grace. Once you have found him, go and proclaim it to your brothers [Matthew 28:10] – and your brothers are the true, solid, lovely virtues with whom you want to and do take up your residence.”
She concluded with another biblical reference (John 20:17) and an emphasis on the God-man who is our only hope: “Then, Christ lets you touch him in continual humble prayer by appearing to your soul in a way you can feel. This is the way, there is no other.”
Indeed, as Jesus Christ Himself said, He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). No one can come to the Father except through Christ.
Therefore, take a few minutes this Easter for a quiet reflection on how you can draw closer to God and bring your life more in union with His commands. This Easter season, we should celebrate, but also ensure that we truly are putting our faith at the center of our lives and not falling in to gravely sinful habits. Jesus warned that He would not tolerate the lukewarm (Revelation 3:16), but He only needs to be asked to pour out an abundance of graces upon us. Christ’s Resurrection must be our inspiration.
Or, as St. Francis of Assisi put it, “All I want to know is Christ and the power flowing from His Resurrection!”
