"Resurrecting Life": The Most Powerful Gift Of Easter

T

hree different concepts about life in Greek culture which was one of the dominant cultures during the time of Jesus. The first Greek word for life is βίος [bee’-os]. It means natural life and the means of sustenance. We all took biology classes. The word “biology” comes from the Greek word βίος. In the entire New Testament, the word βίος, when referring to life, appears only about 11 times. Not that βίος is insignificant. No. But perhaps the bible has a much deeper concept of life than the basic concept of βίος or earthly life.

We can find the word βίος in some occurrences in Luke’s parable (Luke 8:14; 15:30) to emphasize wealth or earthly existence or simply bodily life. The same meaning is found in 1 John 2:16, “For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life (βίος)—is not from the Father but is from the world.”

The second Greek word is ψυχή psychē = Life (psuche [psoo-khay’] – life; refers to the breath of life or spirit and it is only for human beings by possessing a soul or spirit. It is also the seat of human feelings, desires, and affections—Strong’s G5590). Only humans have this second concept of life as psuche, the animating and vital principle of the body. Think now about psychology, the study of the mind and behaviors. If we survey the New Testament Psuche comes in second as the most commonly used word for life. It appears about 58 times when it is used to refer to the soul or spirit and about 41 times when it is used simply to refer to human life. When Jesus died, He not only gave up his natural and earthly life, βίος, Jesus also gave up His soul, spirit, or personal life, ψυχή psychē.

But there is a third word that Greek culture used to refer to the deepest and most authentic understanding of life, the Greek word is ζωή, zōē [dzo-ay’] (Strong’s G2222). ζωή, zōē is a frequently used word to refer to “eternal life” in the whole New Testament (about 134 times), translated in English only as “life.” The evangelist John used it multiple times in his gospel surpassing that of Matthew, Mark, and Luke combined. It’s been said that psuche is the living being, but ζωή, zōē, on the other hand, is the fullness of life of that living being. ζωή, zōē is powerful. In what way? This is the life that saves. Life that gives life. Life-giving life. Jesus often in the gospels, tells those who get healed from various illnesses, “Go your faith has healed you.”

Each year, we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus, but what does that really mean? Why is it celebrated over and over again? I pose this question because it is so important now that it is Easter Sunday. We must ask ourselves this question personally before the day ends. Better yet, in prayer, ask Jesus why he has to remind us every Paschal Triduum that he rises from the dead. As I reflected on the third meaning of life as fullness of life I realized that every Easter Jesus comes to remind us that He is not just alive. He is not just with Bios, No! Easter means Jesus is alive with the fullness of life. The third meaning of life. In our prayers this Easter season, we will constantly hear the Risen Lord, not just Lord or Christ but the Risen Christ. It is like saying "the Living Life," not just life, but the saving, healing, and "Resurrecting Life." This is the most powerful gift of Easter, but then, it is only for those who truly believe in Jesus who says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (Jn 14:6). After today, can you hear Jesus telling you, “Go your faith in me, your belief in me as life-giving life, has healed you, has made you fully alive.”

If your answer is yes then you are among those who are seeking for something more than βίος and even more than psuche. You see Jesus as the God who gives life in its fullness, the absolute, everlasting life that makes Christian believers different from the inside out. Amen. Fr JM Manzano SJ