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Fr George's Letter

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Written by: Administrator

 

CHRIST IS RISEN!

 

“The virtues build a new person radiating love to the world.”

(Metropolitan Paul (Yazigi) who consecrated our temple.)

 

“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathise with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”  

                                                                                  (Hebrews 4:15-16)

 

SUNDAY 20^th APRIL. HOLY PASCHA – THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. St. Theodore Trichinas (“the Hairshirt Wearer”), Hermit, near Constantinople (?4th-5^th). St. Caedwalla, King of the West Saxons (689). St. Athanasius, Founder of the Transfiguration Monastery, Meteora (1380).

 

TODAY’S GOSPEL. John 1:1-17. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of that Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become the children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of Father, full of grace and truth.  John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after Me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’” And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. “

 

“The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,....” (Psalm 34:18). The Psalmist tells us that God is with the suffering and those afflicted with grief. Jesus experienced to the depths all the tragedy and horror that the human race can experience, inflicted by our own sinful nature.

A Statement Issued By The Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem 13/04/2025”, on the plight of the people of Gaza, “On this sacred Palm Sunday, as the faithful around the world raise palm branches in remembrance of our Lord Jesus Christ’s entry into Jerusalem---an entry marked not by conquest, but by meekness, peace, and divine compassion---we find our hearts weighed down with sorrow over the suffering endured in the very land upon which He walked................As the Church that guards the tomb of Christ and walks daily in the path of His Passion and Resurrection, we cannot turn away from this anguish. Yet we respond in prayer, bearing witness to the truth that mercy remains stronger than hatred, and that humanity, even when wounded, is never defeated.

For it is written, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” (Revelation 21:4).”

This is a timely reminder that in this age of instant imagery, we are aware of the fact that there is indeed great suffering in the world today. We moan and groan about our own and other people’s suffering, illness and pain but at this Holy time let us remember Christ’s own suffering in the Agony in the Garden, His betrayal, scourging and crucifixion. We cannot imagine the suffering of the Holy Mother or the despair and fear of the disciples to see their world collapse.

And yet, and yet, the Noble Joseph gave his own tomb as a fitting resting place for Jesus. A resting place it was, only to become the source of great joy when He rose from the dead in a momentous moment for all humankind and of all Creation. As St. Patrick’s Breastplate says, “His rising from the spiced tomb, I bind unto myself today.”

We may suffer, we may share in the suffering of others but out of all of this, the promise from the empty tomb brings joy and peace that the Church proclaims today:-

CHRIST IS RISEN!

HE IS RISEN INDEED!

Let us open our hearts and minds and let us see it, let us experience it and communicate it to our suffering world. Let the aggressors remember that Christ is both Saviour and Judge. They will have to answer for their cruelty. As we struggle to make sense of the fallen world and the seismic power of Christ’s Resurrection, it is good for us to remember Christ’s own words:- “........and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  We are not alone!

                                                                                 Much Love,

                                                                                 Fr. George.

Let us rejoice in the Glorious Resurrection and enjoy our Paschal Feast after today’s Divine Liturgy.

 

 

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