We live in a world where making an absolute statement is frowned upon. Claiming this or that to be an incontrovertible fact is almost a sure-fire way to start an argument. And we all know what that can lead to – an awkward conversation or, even worse, the loss of a cherished friend who finds our position untenable. 
But the words and logic of Paul in 1st Corinthians about the Christ’s resurrection from the dead could not be defined as anything but absolute. There is no nuance in his words. No straddling the fence. Paul is very black and white in his address to the Corinthians.

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 … For if the dead are not raised, neither has Christ been raised, and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain.

So, where does this leave us some 2,000-plus years later? Are we absolute in our belief that Christ was raised from the dead? 

Hopefully, the answer to that question for each of us is a resounding yes. The 103-word Apostles’ Creed that so succinctly defines the cornerstone of our Catholic faith, reinforces Paul’s words in two sentences: The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. These are words that have no nuance for us, nor need for us to straddle the fence. Christ’s victory over death is an incontrovertible fact for each of us. But if there are doubters, then as Paul says, your faith is empty and in vain. 

So, as we go about our Daily Examen, maybe today is a great time to spend a little more time in prayer to express our profound, heartfelt gratitude for what Christ did for us. Not only dying for our sins, but more importantly, conquering death through his resurrection. And because of these two diametrically opposed events, we have the hope of eternal salvation and can live our lives full of hope and promise.