I can’t help but reflect how what I wrote above is the experience and motivation of a large part of ‘practicing’ Christians. This is not meant to put a damper on this day, but to remind those of us who are left, that we have an open door to Paradise.
‘Thou didst destroy death by Thy Cross, Thou didst open Paradise to the thief. Thou didst change the lamentation of the Myrrh-bearers, and Thou didst command Thine Apostles to proclaim that Thou didst arise, O Christ God, and grantest to the world great mercy.’
(Κατέλυσας τω Σταυρώ, Troparion of the Resurrection, Tone 7)
Those of us who are left? Yes, that’s right. Those of us who are left.
I remember one year, after the proclamation of the gospel out in the cold night air in the plaza before the temple’s western doors, we bearing our lighted but flickering candles filed back into the nave.
Fewer of us were there, it seems, far fewer than the number we were before the procession outdoors. We went back to our seats and noticed, looking around us, how the benches were emptier, or had different occupants than before. After waiting for everyone to settle in, the preacher began.
‘Christós anésti!’ and we responded ‘Alithós anésti!’
‘Christ is risen!’ ‘Truly He is risen!’
‘Khristós voskrése!’ ‘Voístinu voskrése!’
…reflecting the fact that the community was comprised mostly of Greeks, Americans, and Eastern European immigrants from Slavic lands. The preacher, our parish priest, did not mince words.‘Now those have gone home with their Paschal candles alight to enjoy the feast and stay up all night eating and drinking. As for the Christians who are left…’ and then he continued with a simple but heartfelt homily on Christ who was dead but is now alive, and lives forever (Revelation 1:18). Then, we proceeded to the mystery of Holy Eucharist, and afterwards broke our fast together, quietly, in the parish hall for a few minutes before dispersing into the night.
The words of his sermon have long since faded. They were excellent words, well-spoken, encouraging, full of light and life for the moment. But what stayed with me to this day, and every day, was the assertion and challenge, ‘As for the Christians who are left…’ I never forget those words, and the offer of an open door to me, just a thief like everyone else.
‘The thieves were stealers, but reason condemned Him,
and the grave was empty where they had laid Him.’
(Job’s Tears, Robin Williamson, The Incredible String Band)
How could human reason have ever guessed that the convicted thief would not only be released from punishment, but actually be rewarded for his boldness in stealing?
Yes, the world was turned upside down, not just by the apostles as recorded in the book of Acts (17:6), but by Christ, who brought heaven down to eradicate hell, and took the souls of men as the booty of war and tokens of His victory over death, to present them to His heavenly Father (Ephesians 4:8-10).
‘Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ! Glory to Your kingdom! Glory to your plan of redemption, O only loving God!’
(Του λίθου σφραγισθέντος, Troparion of the Resurrection, Tone 1)
1 comment:
Thank you for a fine essay.
A couple of days ago, a neighbor complained to me about the hypocrites in the churches. I pointed out that not all of those in the churches are really Christians, and that even those who are, are sometimes hypocrites. I told him, "Some times, I've been the hypocrite. And I know people well enough to know that some times you're the hypocrite."
He nodded.
If we see people a bit more as the Lord sees them, we'll be more patient with them, and less patient with leaving them in their failings.
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