By Alex J. Nagem © April 4, 2025
The Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary defines the word “belief” as “the feeling of being certain that something exists or is true.” Judging by the number of parishioners who attend church services from the Tenebrae through Easter Sunday, one can say that attendance is based on a Christian belief that each holds to be true: that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who became man to identify himself with us and bring us to everlasting life. This is expressed in John 1:9-14: “The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God- children born not of natural descent, nor human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” This verse from the Bible was written long before my time, though my daughters lovingly joke that I am as old as the dinosaurs. My point is, though this was written centuries ago, I, like you, believe in the meaning of the verse. There is a yearning or fear within us that compels us to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. The death of his human body was a sacrifice for our sins. We are told in the Old Testament of the sacrifices made by man to God. But Jesus Christ is the perfect sacrifice for the sins of mankind. Though we no longer make sacrifices as in the Old Testament, we have a perfect sacrifice at each Celebration of the Eucharist. This is my belief.
We are told of God’s love for us in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” We are loved by God, even by those who don’t believe. The death of Christ’s human body was not just for the righteous, but for all of us. I know we carry our own crosses, baggage, and scars, but these are created by us. We have chosen to do wrong, to hurt, to steal, and to disobey. We all face daily worry and stress. As a way to cope, we may claim we are giving these burdens up for Jesus, making a sacrifice for Him. Our Easter belief should redirect this thinking to understand that Jesus made the perfect sacrifice for us. St. Augustine wrote that “the Passion of Christ can bring a complete change in our lives. This is done by despising what was despised by Jesus and desiring what He desired.” The redirection found in Easter reminds us that we are merely human, not God. We are made of flesh, not angels. We cannot remain in a state of virtue when the angels in heaven and Adam failed to do so. We are rescued by Jesus Christ and brought to a state of grace (Thomas à Kempis). This is my belief.
Sometimes, we overlook the obvious. The other day, I was searching for a small file in my toolbox, as using it would have made a home project easier and faster to complete. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find it. My wife, Lori, assisted in the search, but the file seemed to have disappeared. Later, I went back to the same toolbox for pliers, and to my surprise, the file had miraculously reappeared in the top tray- the very tray we had both searched. The obvious had been overlooked. We glance at the image of Christ on the Cross or the empty Cross, yet we should not miss the significance these two icons represent. The Cross serves as a reminder of God’s love for us and the victory over death through Jesus. This reminder is meant for all mankind, not just Christians, or as we fondly say, those living at the foot of the cross. Just as the file returned to the place where I undoubtedly left it, our belief in Jesus patiently awaits where we last left Him. Easter belief symbolizes a renewal following a long journey of struggling with faith. This renewal continues with each approach we make to the altar to receive the Eucharist. This is my belief.
As you can see from my writing, I have a deep love for Jesus Christ. My sufferings cannot begin to compare to His. While I may offer my sufferings to Jesus, they are minimal in comparison to His suffering for us. Yet, through His suffering and death, Jesus continues to love and accept us. When I look at a crucifix with the arms of Jesus outstretched, I see Him welcoming us with open arms despite all His suffering. Regardless of any wrongs committed by someone, Jesus still welcomes them with open arms if they turn to Him with faith and remorse. This is my belief.
The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once told some Christians, “If you want me to believe in your Redeemer, you need to look more redeemed.” Do we, as Christians, look redeemed? Do we act as if we have been redeemed? The redirection we receive during Lent and the joyous reminder of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday should provide us with the appearance of one who has been redeemed. The Death and Resurrection of Jesus happened more than two thousand years ago. The promise of our resurrection and everlasting life has not been lost, and for this, we should be thankful and exuberant. This belief has endured the passage of time. It has been handed down from one generation to another. It has been tested, denied, and the truth twisted by non-believers. But we still come to the altar to receive the Eucharist, the blessed bread of salvation, the true body of Christ, because we believe.
May the fruits of your Easter belief continue with each passing day and lead you into the arms of our Savior.
You are remembered in my prayers, as I hope my family and I are remembered in yours.
“Vocatus Atque non Vocatus, Deus Aderit”
Alex J. Nagem