It is surprising sometimes to listen to people's views about what happens to us after death. There are obviously those who believe that this life is all there is and that death is a final end to it all. There are also those who, following some of the great eastern religions, believe in re-incarnation and the like. But even among those who think of themselves as Christians it possible to find views which are not to be found in the scriptures or are not part of the faith. As Christians we do not believe that when we die we become angels or that our souls are 'freed'. We are people who believe in resurrection. Our hope for the future is that we shall rise again.

We will never fully understand the mystery of our resurrection in this life, but Sunday's gospel reading reminds us of some important points. We do not believe in resurrection as a theory but as a person. We do not put our hope in the idea of resurrection, but in him who says: 'I am the resurrection'. We believe that we will come to share in the fullness of life that we see in the risen Lord.

At the Vigil we will celebrate the power of the resurrection, we will proclaim that Jesus has power even over death itself. Today's gospel shows that fact and we are called to show it in our lives. Our faith in Jesus leads us through the suffering of the cross to the glory of the resurrection.

P.D.