Causal Power of the Resurrection

Aristotle says (Metaph. iv): “Whatever isthe first in any order, is the cause of what comes after it.”The Resurrection of Christ was first in the order of rising fromthe dead: “The first fruits of them that sleep” (I Cor.15:20). Christ’s Resurrection is thus the cause of our bodily resurrection which will take place on the last day.

Christ’s Resurrection is also the cause of the resurrection of our souls from the death of sin. The divine power which appears in the bodily Resurrection of Christ extends to human souls. St. Paul (Rom. 4:25) says that our Lord “rose again for our justification.” And again he says (Rom. 6:4): “Christ is risen from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also may walk in newness of life.”