On the Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Yesterday, O Christ, was I buried with Thee, and today I rise again with Thy rising. Yesterday, I was crucified with Thee: Do Thou Thyself glorify me, O Savior, in Thy Kingdom. -- From the Third Ode of the Paschal Canon by St. John of Damascus

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the central act of all history and reveals the purpose of the entire universe. Truly, there is no loss in this life over which we should lengthily and bitterly mourn, for all death, all sorrow, all tears, all disappointments, are swallowed up by the victory of Christ over death, the devil, and hell. No matter how terrible and how devastating any loss or sadness in this life may appear to us, it is but a passing shadow and a dream compared to the Only Real Thing Worth Living For: Eternal life with Christ Jesus our Lord.

Just think how much joy there would be in life if this were our constant thought and the basis of our decisions and actions: 'I am not really meant to live here, but in the Kingdom of Heaven.' The sorrows and worries that accompany our so-great attachments to everyone and everything earthly would gradually fall away from us, and quiet, unearthly joy would take their place. As long as we live on this earth, the fullness of this joy is not yet revealed, but is experienced as a 'bright sorrow', a 'mournful rejoicing'. It is a foretaste of that joy without shadow which shall belong forever to those who are saved.

As this eternal life is the only thing worth living for, so it is the only thing one should fear to lose. For there is a mourning that is truly appropriate in this life: mourning over our sins, mourning over that which separates us from God. If we keep this saving and joy-giving mourning ever active in our minds and feelings, and act on it by confessing our sins, communing of the Life-giving Mysteries, and struggling for a pure life, then the Resurrection of Christ will be for us divine and inalienable joy, both at this Holy Pascha of 2003 and for eternity. But if we do not turn to the Lord and correct our lives, then this 'Easter' will end up being for us just another 'family and cultural event' when we ate red eggs and roast lamb. Soon the happiness wears off, and all our worries, sins, obsessions, pre-occupations, and resentments take their usual place in our minds, and 'life as usual' goes on - that is, for the few years, months, weeks, days, or moments before the angels come for the soul, and death overtakes us.

May we always remember and act on this! May we 'purify our senses that we may behold Christ shining like lightning with the unapproachable light of the Resurrection', as the 1st Ode of the Paschal Canon says. May we truly become by His grace immortal inhabitants of His Heavenly Kingdom, 'where there is no sickness, nor sorrow, nor sighing, but life everlasting' (Kontakion for the Departed).

As world events promise more 'wars and the rumor of war,' let us not be swayed this way and that by fear of what men can do to us, nor be addicted to curiosity about what evils evil men will work next. There will always be demons, sin, and death in this life, right up to the end. We must remember that Christ has already triumphed - we have only to remain loyal to Him to be partakers of His victory. He told His disciples that in the world they would have tribulation, but not to fear, for He has overcome the world.

Let this be our 'program' then: Focus on the One Thing Needed, purification from our sins to obtain a clean conscience, cheerfulness in the midst of troubles, gratitude to God for all things, firm conviction of His victory and our future victory, humility, faithfulness, charity to others. Then truly His Resurrection will not simply be a miracle that took place 2000 years ago, but will be the actual content of our lives here and now. Then, we will experience what it means to be new creatures in the New Creation.

Let this world pass away and grace appear. Come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.