Resurrection Roundup

Christus resurrexit! Vere resurrexit!

Christ is risen! Indeed, he is risen!

Here are some homilies and addresses from this weekend:

• Pope Benedict's Easter Vigil homily: "The Church Sings the Song of Thanksgiving of the Saved"
• Pope Benedict's Easter homily: Christ "Is Our Hope, He Is the True Peace of the World"
• The Archbishop of Jerusalem's Easter homily: "Let Us Look for the Signs of His Resurrection"
• Pope Benedict's urbi et orbi message: "The Resurrection Is Not a Theory, but a Historical Reality"

Creed: Why do we say Jesus "rose again"?

In the Nicene Creed, as well as the Apostles' Creed, we say that Jesus "rose again" on the third day. Why again? When did he rise the first time?

Well, the illustrious Father Z has answered that question. Here's the core of the matter:

In the Creed, Latin resurrexit is from re- and surgo. The prefix re- conveys “again”. In English "again" can mean more than repetition. Check a good dictionary of English and you will find a nuance of “again” as “anew” without the concept of repetition. “He rose again” means “He rose anew". So, resurrexit does not mean Jesus rose twice. He returned to life “anew”.

Now it makes sense!