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   -An excerpt from His Holiness' book Contemplations on the Resurrection. 

    The angels proclaimed the news of Christ's resurrection to the women saying, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but He is risen" (Luke 24: 5-6) The news of the risen Christ brought tremendous joy to the disciples, but terrified the Jewish leaders.
    As much as the day of the crucifixion was painful emotionally, it was a day of salvation. However, people did not see Christ opening the doors of paradise, they only saw the suffering, insults and nails. As much as the disciples were disturbed and sad on Friday, they were very joyful on Sunday. The promise of the Lord to them was fulfilled when He said, "But I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you" (John 16:22).
Through His resurrection, they rejoiced that the resurrection is possible and realistic. He was the evidence. That is why     St. John describes Him, "whom we have seen with our eyes and touched with our hands" (1Jn 1: 1). St. Peter also bears witness that "we have eaten and drank with Him after His resurrection from the dead." (Acts 10: 41). Through the resurrection, the fear of the disciples was turned into courage and indifference to all the powers that were fighting them. All their enemies could do is threaten to kill them, but what can the threat of death do to one who believes in the resurrection and has seen it!
    In the resurrection, the disciples felt that they were under the wings of a powerful God. The One in whom they believe holds the keys to life and death. He is the resurrection and the life. He is the source of life, not only on earth. but eternal life also.
    The disciples rejoiced because God fulfilled His promise to them, when they saw the promise of His resurrection fulfilled, they were reassured of the outcome of all the other promises, like "I go to prepare a place for you... and I will come again and take you, so that where I am, there you will be also" Jn. 14: 2-3). They believed His promise that He is with us until the end of days (Matt. 28:20). Thus, all His promises gave them power, comfort and joy.

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III
Pope of Alexandria & Patriarch of the See of St. Mark 

The 2008 Papal Feast of Resurrection Message

 

The resurrection of the Lord Christ was a glorious and joyous resurrection.  It was with a glorified Body, with which He was able to exit from the tomb while it was shut; and He was able to come out of the grave-cloths while leaving them organized.  With this Body, He entered the upper room, where the disciples were, while the doors were shut; and He granted them peace and blessing.  With this glorified Body, He ascended to heaven and was not over-powered by the gravitational force.

 

We rejoice in the resurrection of the Lord Christ for He abolished death, and gave us the promise to be like Him, having life after death and an eternal life also with a glorified body similar to His resurrection, as St. Paul the Apostle said about the Lord: “…who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body…” (Philippians 3:21)  He also said that it is raised in glory … it is raised in power … it is raised a spiritual body … (I Corinthians 15: 43-44). Truly, the resurrection of the Lord Christ was a deposit towards our resurrection and the first-fruits of it (I Corinthians 15:20). 

While we rejoice in the glory of His resurrection, we also rejoice for what will be ours in likeness of this glory, but each one according to his order. Let us all then live the life that qualifies us for this glory, knowing that as we get deeper in the spiritual life, the more our glory increases in the eternal life.  For all people in eternity will not be of the one rank, but as the Apostle said, “for one star differs from another star in glory.” (I Corinthians 15:41)  Therefore, we must live – as befitting us – in the life of righteousness, and grow in it day after day, making perfection our aim, which can be reached according to the commandment of the Lord “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)  

 

May the Lord grant you grace so that you walk in the life of righteousness, holiness, perfection and be an example to many.  

Be well in the Lord, absolved by His Holy Spirit, and remember me in your prayers.