The resurrection is real

The resurrection is denied by nonbelievers. Its reality is also sometimes diminished in the thoughts of some theologians who have more pretentious subtlety than actual wisdom.

The resurrection is a matter of faith, but it is real and it is the unshakeable foundation of Christian hope, as Saint Paul reminds us so well in today’s first reading (1 Corinthians 15:12-20):

If there is no resurrection of the dead,
then neither has Christ been raised.

And if Christ has not been raised,
then empty too is our preaching;
empty, too, your faith.

Then we are also false witnesses to God,
because we testified against God
that he raised Christ,
whom he did not raise
if in fact the dead are not raised.

For if the dead are not raised,
neither has Christ been raised,
and if Christ has not been raised,
your faith is vain;
you are still in your sins.
Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ
have perished.
If for this life only we have hoped in Christ,
we are the most pitiable people of all.

But now Christ has been raised from the dead,
the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.