Jesus rose for every human being, for the whole family of God, from the first Adam to the last Antichrist. He rose not simply for the good and the “nice.” He rose not only for the Virgin Mary, who mothered him, but also for Judas, who betrayed him, and for Peter, who denied him thrice. Importantly, for our presence here today, Jesus rose to life for each of us and for those yet to come. Sr. Bridget Haase writes that we perhaps base our faith on “if only.” If only I had been there when Jesus fed the multitude, I would believe in his power. If only I had seen Jesus heal, I would believe that I could be cured of my spiritual paralysis. If only I could have heard his words of forgiveness, I would accept my own. If only I could have been a witness to these things. Let’s not miss the point. There are people making sandwiches for the homeless on a golfing day, stocking shelves in food pantries on a weekend, and preparing family meals after a day’s work. There are nurses ministering on double shifts, caretakers sacrificing for the elderly, and researchers laboring to find cures for diseases. There are parents forgiving children for past hurts, priests offering absolution in the name of God, and broken relationships being mended. It’s in the real world, not the “if only” one, that we find the presence of the Risen Christ. What a blessing to be witnesses of these things!