CHRIST IS RISEN, My Dear Ones, Christ is risen!

For Easter 2006

8th Day Pastoral Reflection - Pesaha - Easter 2004
Rev. Fr. John-Brian Paprock
Maruroopa Palli - Hoy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Parish
Madison, Wisconsin

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My Dear Ones,

CHRIST IS RISEN!
Kristu Uyirthezunnettu!
Christos T'ensah Em' Muhtan!
Krisdos Hareavi Merelots!
Kristos Aftooun!
Christos Anesti!
Meshiha Qam!

HE IS RISEN INDEED!

This is the 8th Day - the day of ending and beginning - the elevated octave
of humanity -
For Christ is Risen from the dead trampling death by death and on those in
the tombs bestowing life!

On this Resurrection Day, we are reminded that upon this defeat of sin,
death is destroyed - it has no more sway over those that follow Christ. The
entire universe, all of creation, is transformed - for the penalty of sin is
transfigured, transmuted and translated - Christ is risen because of God's
great mercy and love for us, showing us that we need only repent and return
to His love to engender His mercy.

Christ is risen from the dead and the gates of hell can no longer hold
captives, the chains of the devil can no longer bind the penitent.

Christ is risen and there is no longer a darkness that has not been
shattered by light - long and dark shadows are now easily dismissed, because
Christ is risen and we know the source of light - we turn to it and shadows
disappear.

Christ has saved all of us, not just through His excruciating death, but,
most importantly, by rising from death and bringing the remedy to the curse
of Adam. We are no longer expelled. Eden's delight and the promised land
are within our reach. The gates of heaven are open to all of us - if we but
walk through.

Some may need to stop admiring the door stop or the door handle on the
outside and make the effort to walk through that door that was flung open in
this miracle beyond all miracles, this fantastic event that is now available
to everyone.

Some may not have heard this good news - Christ is risen and we no longer
live under the assumption of death. We no longer live by the dictates of
the lower nature. Christ is risen and instructs His apostles in
establishing the One True Church so that we, alive on earth in 2004, may
come to a knowledge of His Truth, His Love and His Mercy.

Some may reject it because they believe they know before they know - not
having the benefit of the Holy Apostles and all our father and mothers
before us preserving the One True Church for this auspicious time. The
Church is too easily rejected in this day and age because it too has
suffered under the delusion of death, but death is defeated, because Christ
is risen from the dead!

The One Holy Apostolic Church, founded by the Apostles, protected by their
prayers as well as the intercessions of Holy Theotokos, Mother of God, Mary,
needs to show the world the light beyond all lights - the light that can
never be extinguished - that spiritual light that illumines the faithful so
that they may be lights unto those that are still in darkness. This is the
light of Hope, the light of Love, the light of Light, the everlasting light
of Life! Christ is risen and has ensured that all of creation will no
longer have to sit in darkness and fear, but live in the light of Truth!
Christ is risen so that each of us, as True Apostolic Christians may carry
His love, His light, His Hope and His life in us and freely give to those
that seek relief from the burdens of living a life unto death. For Christ
is risen and death is destroyed - death's yoke that drives so many to sin
and isolation from God has been broken.


CHRIST IS RISEN, My Dear Ones, Christ is risen!
He is risen, indeed!



your servant, Fr John Brian