We live the Christian life out of a rich tradition of formation-by-resurrection. Jesus\u2019 resurrection provides the energy and conditions by which we \u201cwalk before the Lord in the land of the living\u201d \u2013 the great Psalm phrase (116:9). The resurrection of Jesus creates and then makes available the reality in which we are formed as new creatures in Christ by the Holy Spirit. The do-it-yourself, self-help culture of North America has so thoroughly permeated our imaginations that we ordinarily don\u2019t give attention to the biggest thing of all \u2013 resurrection. And the reason we don\u2019t is because resurrection is not something we can use or control or manipulate or improve on. It\u2019s interesting, isn\u2019t it, that the world has had very little success in commercializing Easter \u2013 turning it into a commodity \u2013 as it has Christmas? If we can\u2019t in our phrase, \u201cget a handle on it\u201d or use it, we soon loose interest. But resurrection is not available for our use. It\u2019s exclusively God\u2019s operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What I want to do is\u00a0rediscover our resurrection center<\/strong>\u00a0and embrace the formation traditions that develop out of it. I\u2019m going to deal in turn with the three aspects of Jesus\u2019 resurrection that define and energize us as we enter the practice of resurrection lives. \u00a0I will then set this resurrection life lived out of the reality and conditions of Jesus\u2019 resurrection in contrast to what I consider the common cultural habits and assumptions that are either oblivious to or make detours around resurrection. \u00a0I will name this \u201cthe deconstruction of resurrection.\u201d \u00a0Finally, I will suggest something of what is involved in cultivating the practice of resurrection: living appropriately and responsively in a world in which Christ is risen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n –Eugene Peterson Living the Resurrection: The Risen Christ in Everyday Life<\/b> (Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2006), pp.13-14<\/p> East and Easter
Out of the East the royal Sun,
Sign of a glad new day begun,
Out of the East, to heal and bless,
Rises the Sun of Righteousness:
Out of the East is Easter\u2026\u2026..
by Amos Russel Wells pic.twitter.com\/DYlUdd4ItD<\/a><\/p>— gregorio catarino (@gregcatarino1) April 4, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>