Jesus' death was interpreted in light of the scriptures as a redemptive death, being part of God's plan. The Nicene Creed states: "On the third day, he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures."

"In Easter we celebrate man become God ... that in the death and resurrection of Christ God has broken the stranglehold of human selfishness, has proved the enduring and conquering strength of divine love." - Dunn 2003, p.268.

This period, covering Easter, is the most important in the Christian Calendar. It should actually be tied to Passover and The feast of Unleavened Bread which begins on 22 April this year. It is late this year because this is the Jewish leap year. Both Easter and The Jewish Passover/Feast of Unleavened Bread are historically observed for an octave, an 8-day week. In the Roman Catholic Church the Te Deum ("God, We Praise You") is sung at the conclusion of Matins and the Gloria in excelsis Deo ("Glory to God in the highest") is sung at Mass each day of the Octave. I will try and incorporate that for the next few days.

In the Eastern Orthodox Church, today is known as Bright Thursday of Bright Week, as they rejoice in greeting the Risen and resurrected Lord.

In truth the entire Christian faith stands on the death and resurrection of Jesus, they are the most important events, the foundation of the Christian faith. In today’s reading we read that these were no “visionary experiences’” as some theologians and academics try to claim. No indeed the disciples in today’s None reading and over 500 others a few days later, interacted with a bodily resurrected Christ. Only after his ascension, when he bodily rose into heaven, have many, right up to the present day, had “visionary experiences”, like Paul’s vision on the road to Damascus. His body having ascended, Jesus now contacts those he loves, via the spirit, with “visionary and aural" spiritual experiences.

Christ is Risen

He is Risen Indeed.