Readings:
2 Chronicles 33
Sirach 31
1 Corinthians 15

1 Corinthians 15

Paul moves on to the death and resurrection of Christ and says this is “of first importance” because if we remove the death and resurrection of Christ from the gospel it ceases to be the gospel and is just the teachings of another spiritual leader. It’s the crucifixion and resurrection of Our Lord that sets him apart from all others. And it’s this life giving event that is the foundation of our hope.

Paul lists several appearances of the Risen Lord to multiple people, including a group of 500 with some still alive that could vouch for this event having taken place. Paul finishes with a mention of Jesus appearing to him at his conversion experience on the way to Damascus.

Apparently some of the Corinthians were denying a future resurrection of the dead, and so if they denied that then Paul said they are denying that Christ bodily rose from the dead, and if that’s the case then all of this is for nothing. The resurrection is so central in Christianity that without it we have an empty and meaningless faith.

“If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.” The Resurrection above all constitutes the confirmation of all Christ’s works and teachings. All truths, even those most inaccessible to human reason, find their justification if Christ by his Resurrection has given the definitive proof of his divine authority, which he had promised.

CCC 651

Tomorrow’s Readings:
2 Chronicles 34
Sirach 32
1 Corinthians 16