What a Beautiful Name

“Death could not hold You, the veil tore before You
You silenced the boast, of sin and grave
The heavens are roaring, the praise of Your glory
For You are raised to life again.”
(What a Beautiful Name – Hillsong Worship)
Listen to the song here.

These lyrics capture so much of what the story of Easter is all about.

“Death could not hold you!”

We listen, watch, and journey with so many who encounter death in real and often horrific ways – not unlike Christ. Some of these people are fleeing unsafe homes, trying to find safety in our land. Some are folks who live in dangerous neighborhoods where the cycle of poverty and violence has been perpetuated by forces well beyond their control. Some are children whose lives will be unable to breathe on earth with us because of the darkness and despair of abortion.

Yet, we hear – Death could NOT hold YOU! Jesus has power over all of that. Easter reminds us of the powerlessness of death, destruction, and violence – no matter how many want us to believe that is it she sign of strength.

“The heavens are roaring!”

Yes! The heavens are roaring the praise of Christ’s glory. He was the king that nobody expected. He said that the last were going to be first. He commanded us to love one another, especially the poor and needy. He shared boundless mercy in situations where it seemed the only appropriate response was historic justice. He changed the course of what it meant to be a follower forever. Some people laughed and scoffed. We hear today that the heavens roared in praise of His glory!

“For You are raised to life again!”

When Jesus resurrected, He opened heaven for all of us. That’s what the Scripture tells us. That first moment must have been so powerful in so many ways. Jesus transcends everything about life and death and adds this new element – RESURRECTION! I love icons of the Resurrection where you see Jesus reaching down for Adam and Eve, healing that first separation. In turn, we share in the healing down through all those ages and it is signed at our baptism. What an eternal moment!

“What a beautiful name! What a powerful name! The name of Jesus!

Written by Sister Lisa Laguna, D.C.

Watch our “What a Beautiful Name” video here.