As we consider the incarnation of Christ as human, truly having a physical body and soul, we embrace the truth that he was like us in all things but sin. His body did not remain simply a physical body as we know ours. Something special happened to it. After Christ grew in wisdom and grace for thirty-three years, he died, was buried and rose again. That resurrection did something wonderful to his body. This resurrection was not just a return to life as usual as it was for poor Lazarus, even though it was Christ’s same body that suffered and died. It was a resurrected body. Perhaps a little hint of what it may have been like could be gleaned from reading about the Transfiguration of Christ (Luke 9:28-36)? This is perhaps why Mary Magdalene did not recognize Christ at first after the resurrection? This is why the apostles were hesitant in their recognition. St. Thomas was invited to put his hands into the wounds as a proof for him that it was really Christ in a new way. Likewise, this is why the apostles were slow to recognize him on the shore after the resurrection preparing breakfast for them. We can never know the physical body of Christ by sight, touch and voice in this life; but, we will spend all eternity gazing on the resurrected Christ in his human body, drinking in the beauty, the splendor, the loveliness, and glory of that resurrected body. But there is more. In the funeral Mass, the prayer is said, “Christ will raise our mortal bodies to be more like his own in glory … we hope to share in your glory … on that day we shall see you as you are, we shall become like you….” This is the destiny of our bodies to share in the glory that is Christ. This is the reason we are buried in consecrated ground for while we are the temple of God, as St. Paul calls our body, it has not yet appeared what we will be. It is on account of this that we respect our bodies; they are good in themselves, but destined for glory where every tear, disability and shortcoming will be wiped away. This is our reason for respect for life born, unborn and aged; the human body will rise again when Christ calls out to us, as he did to Lazarus, to come forth. We will enter into the resurrected life of Christ. When we receive Communion, it is the resurrected Christ— body, soul and divinity— that we receive. The scars and wounds have become badges of glory which prompt us to say, “Praise to you, resurrected and glorified Christ!”
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