Sometimes, a single verse is enough for a day—if not for a whole lifetime. This is one of those verses: “You have made known to me the ways of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.” It is a claim much like the musical scales that the pianist must continually practice, whether a beginner or an accomplished virtuoso. What are these “ways of life” that God has made known to us?

As in most cases, responses of a general nature will have little meaning for us and will do little to help us build resilience in our lives. The real question is this: What ways of life have we learned, or do we need to learn? These ways might be simple and follow the truths we learned as children: honoring others, speaking truthfully, and living humbly. Each of these postures is a way to practice resurrection. We turn from acts or habits that belittle others and open our hearts to live generously toward them—whether our friends or those who threaten us. This is the hard truth Jesus teaches again and again in the Gospels: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt. 5:44).

If the Resurrection is to mean anything in our lives, it must be this: The call to live beyond the narrow logic of fear, selfishness, and hatred, to live into the “ways of life” that constitute the generous truths of God among us.

Will this be easy for us? Rarely. Practice might not “make perfect.” But it will lead us—moment by moment within our relationships—into a deepening measure of freedom and joy.