Bishop Thomas John Paprocki | Diocese of Springfield

In the Apostles’ Creed, a line reads, “He descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead … .” This phrase has often been a subject of curiosity due to the use of the word "again," which typically implies repetition. Mike from Springfield questioned this usage, asking if it suggests that Jesus rose from the dead more than once.

Father Paul Lesupati, parochial vicar at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield, responded to Mike's query by acknowledging that many people struggle with this part of the Apostles’ Creed. He explained that while "again" commonly means "once more," implying a repeated event, it can also mean "anew."

When we say, “I was not able to finish my story, so I started again,” or “My vacation was cancelled, but I rescheduled and started again,” we are using "again" to signify returning to a previous condition. In professing the Apostles’ Creed, believers affirm their faith in Jesus Christ's resurrection. The term resurrection means “to bring back to life after life has been ended.” Hence, when believers say that Jesus “rose again from the dead,” they are not suggesting that he rose twice. Instead, they are stating that he returned to life anew after death and burial.

Father Lesupati further clarified that Jesus only rose once - an event celebrated on Easter. He lived, died once and now lives forever. The new life in Christ confirms our own resurrection as stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

“Christ’s Resurrection — and the risen Christ himself is the principle and source of our future resurrection: ‘Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep … . For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.’ The risen Christ lives in the hearts of his faithful while they await that fulfillment. In Christ, Christians have tasted … the powers of the age to come and their lives are swept up by Christ into the heart of divine life, so that they may live no longer for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised” (CCC, 655).

Believers profess and affirm that Jesus is not in the tomb but has risen from the dead. What might seem like a man's downfall is not the end of his life. By God's power, he rose to a new life. Father Paul Nord, OSB, one of Father Lesupati's seminary professors, agreed that "again" can be unnecessary and confusing in this context.

Father Lesupati concluded by emphasizing that when believers gather on Sundays, especially on Easter Sunday, they celebrate Jesus Christ's resurrection. This event offers hope because through baptism, God promises something better. Despite falling three times on his journey to the cross, Jesus rose each time - a testament that death does not have the final say in our lives. Jesus Christ has conquered death and promised eternal life with him in heaven.