See what love the Father has bestowed on us in letting us be called children of God. Yet that is what we are. What we shall later be has not yet come to light. But we know that when it comes to light, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.1 John 3: 1-2
Jesus came into the world to show us what heaven is like. In his teaching and miracles, in his death on the cross, and especially in his resurrection, he brought the reign of God into the world. He brought the future into the present, eternal life into earthly life. He showed us that life as we know it is not all there is, that what we are now is not all we will be. In his brief time on earth he gave us a glimpse of what we will be in heaven.
The appearances of the risen Lord to his disciples so affected them that they were completely changed. No longer were they the band of followers portrayed in the gospel accounts, slow to understand his teaching, sometimes missing the point completely, and frightened into flight in his perilous last days. The resurrection transformed them into apostles who carried the gospel to the ends of the earth. Without them the world - and we too - would know nothing of the Lord Jesus and his promise of eternal life.
Just as faith in the resurrection transformed the apostles, it transforms believers in every age, including our own. Easter is more than a liturgical event observed on a Sunday in April. It is a life-changing event that occurs every day in the lives of believers. The future continues to break into the present when we live our faith.
When we give ourselves up to the will of God as we discern it in our daily lives, we do not know where it will lead us. We may feel uncertain, vulnerable, even fearful, not knowing what will become of us if we follow him. We may have more Good Fridays than Easters, at least for now. But we know that if we make Jesus the Lord of our life, and listen carefully to his word, and follow him with sincere faith, he will lead us to a place of peace. And we will know the joy of looking on the Face of Love and dwelling with him in eternity.
Jesus, you are the Lord of my life. I give you my heart in loving faith. I trust in your promise of eternal life. Give me the grace to do your will in all things. Strengthen me in my weakness, guide me in uncertainty, and protect me in time of trouble, that I may remain faithful to you in this life and be united with you in heaven.