This week we are all celebrating the joy of the Lord’s Resurrection. Christ is risen! Truly he is risen!

I’m meditating on this reality today, for obvious reasons.

And it occurs to me that this is one facet of a bigger reality: Christ is risen, ascended, seated at the right hand of the Father, and coming soon to judge the living and the dead and you and me. And here and now he calls all to live in the Kingdom of his Father, according to its laws: Here and now, “May thy Kingdom come; may thy will be done on earth as in heaven.”

I’m a citizen of one country who’s been living for years in another country. So I am subject to the laws of both countries. If I take a job in the Philippines, I’ll owe US taxes. A Filipino who goes to my country can divorce and remarry, but he’ll be liable for prosecution for bigamy under Philippine law. As an expatriate I am subject to the laws of a country far away.

Here in this country I am legally permitted to envy, nurture resentments, refuse to forgive, and make room for destructive fantasies in my mind. All totally legal here! But as a citizen of the Kingdom, I am subject to the Kingdom law of love and these things are forbidden to me.

Christ is risen! And he is King, and Judge. And Savior and Healer.

Don’t let the liberty of this festal season make you captive to gluttony, drunkenness, spiritual negligence, or casual over-familiarity with holy things. Be together with the disciples so that you will hear Christ greet them, “Peace be to all!” Assemble often together with the apostolic community so you will not be absent like Thomas when the grace of Christ appears. Be present when the Holy Spirit comes, bringing purity and power.