Easter and the Miracle of Transformation

Transformation is at the center of Easter. Christians believe that Jesus Christ came back from the dead. He came back in the flesh, not a spirit, not a soul—but in physical form. This is important to note because the resurrection will lose its meaning if we were to believe otherwise. In scriptures we learn that Jesus still has the holes on his hands and side performed during his crucifixion. We also learn that he sits down with his disciples to partake on a meal on more than one occasion. On another instance, he appears to two disciples on the road and joins on a conversation. All these appearances demonstrate that Jesus’ resurrection is completely corporal, but it is also something else. In the same occasions, we learn that Jesus can walk through walls and vanishes in the mist of his disciples. Jesus does not resurrect only in a corporal form—for he has characteristics that are not limited by a corporal body. Nor does he resurrect solemnly in a spiritual form, for he can partake in bodily experiences. The event of Easter transforms Jesus Christ into someone we do not know, yet. This new form-of-being that Jesus takes after his resurrection places transformation at the center of the Easter. 

The resurrected Jesus not only conquers death, but invites us to do partake in this transformation of our beings. In the same way Jesus fully takes into another form, we too are called to partake in this transformative process. While Jesus shows us the ultimate and final consequence of this calling—we can embrace Easter and live out this transformation daily. How can we do this?

Thankfully, Jesus gives us instructions. In his resurrection form, Jesus tells us that he will send the Holy Spirit that is ‘to teach us all things’ and ‘remind you everything I have said to you.’ Easter season culminates with the descend of the Holy Spirit onto the disciples. This is the final-step, so to speak, to prepare the disciples to live a life of constant transformation. What do we learn from a life that has been touched by the Holy Spirit? Peter’s first deed after Pentecost was to preach ‘boldly’ the word of God. Transformation occurred, Peter who was terrified to the point of denying knowing Jesus, now proclaims his teachings with power and authority. Paul encountering the risen Jesus, falls of his horse (literally) and figuratively too by the abandonment of his way of life. After this incident he becomes a powerful instrument to evangelize metropolitan cities of the time. Scriptures are full of examples of the power of the Holy Spirit in the transformation of an individual.

However, most of the transformation in scriptures are powerful and sudden. Most people cannot relate to the event of Pentecost, (although there are plenty of people of faith who say they have experienced something similar), and feel as if they are not being guided and transformed in their daily lives. We will also not experience the form of the resurrected Jesus Christ during our lifetime! 

So, How does the Holy Spirit through the resurrected Christ approach us in the quotidian aspect of our lives? How does this transformation occur? The Holy Spirit does move us and transform us, slowly, quietly, and throughout our lives. Spiritual writer Richard Rohr says it in common language, “if you do not transform your pain, you will surely transmit it.” This is the miracle of Easter—to let God entered our lives that are dead and broken, that have been crucified, and to transformed them into a new creation that gives life.