Pastoral Reflections - April 2008
 

My Beloved in the Lord:

The Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is the single cosmic event that gives meaning, purpose and hope to all humanity. Our worship services, our prayers, our good deeds and our discipline of fasting are all beautiful and meaningful only because they lead to the reality of our Lord’s Resurrection.

With tears in our eyes we commemorate our Lord’s death on Good Friday. We know very well that it was because of our sins that He was nailed to the Cross. Our Lord’s death was the terrible price that had to be paid for our salvation. And so, we preach the “Crucified Christ.” However, we worship the “Resurrected Lord.”

The Resurrection is our only true hope! There is no tragedy in the eyes of God. There is no death. The deep darkness of all human sufferings is totally dispelled by the brilliant light that emanates from the tomb of Christ. We proclaim triumphantly with Saint Paul: “I consider that the sufferings of this world are not worthy to be compared with the future glory which shall be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18)

In sin there is death; in holiness there is life. And the life of Christ transforms our life. Though we are sinners, yet we are holy. Day by day our life is changing and some day, through the grace of God, we will be able to proclaim with Saint Paul: “It is no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20)

During our life journey, and especially during Great Lent, we strive to empty ourselves of the “death” that dwells within us, in order to become worthy vessels of the “new life” in Christ. Let us have constantly before us the glorious icon of our Lord’s Resurrection, as we carry our cross, as we pray and fast, as we seek repentance and as we grow closer to Him. By the grace of God we will fight the “good fight” and we will keep the Faith. And by His grace we will be deemed worthy to receive the crown of righteousness, which our Lord gives to all who have loved His appearing (II Timothy 4:8).

Praying that Christ our true God Who rose from the dead abundantly bless you and your loved ones and may the light of Pascha shrine so ever brilliantly within your hearts, I faithfully remain,

With paternal love and blessings,

+Fr. Panagioti