My Beloved, the Blessed Children of the Holy Church
Christ is Risen, Truly Risen
It is my pleasure to wish all of you a blessed and joyful Feast of the Glorious Resurrection.
Our celebration of the Feast this year comes amidst many challenges, ranging from wars, such as the Russian-Ukrainian war, the war in Gaza, and the civil war in Sudan, as well as the awful criminal murder of three monks in our Coptic monastery in South Africa. Additionally, the economic crisis and inflation have made many families incapable of providing basic needs for their children. There are also many changes in American society, which are driving it further away from God, allowing for moral degradation and all the other dangerous issues confronting our children in schools and elsewhere.
- The Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ gives us hope for a better life and a bright future. We are reminded by the words of St. Peter the Apostle, as inspired by the Holy Spirit, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Pe 1:3). Whereas despair leads to death, hope grants life.
- The Resurrection of Christ granted hope to the disciples and replaced their fear and despair. Initially, the events of the Crucifixion filled their hearts with fear, as St. John wrote, “Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews” (Jn 20:19). But this fear did not last for long, because “Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord” (Jn 20:19, 20). Thus, the Resurrection of Christ gave them hope, which in turn changed their fear to joy, because joy is linked to hope, as St. Paul wrote, “rejoicing in hope” (Ro 12:12).
- The Resurrection of Christ changed the state of despair, which the two disciples of Emmaus experienced. St. Luke wrote, “While they conversed and reasoned, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him. And He said to them, ‘What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?’” (Lk 24:15-17). They summarized their depressed state in these words, “But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel” (Lk 24:21). However, at the breaking of the bread, the Lord became known to them, and their minds were opened to understand Christ’s Holy Resurrection. Immediately, their condition completely changed, “so they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, ‘The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!’” (Lk 24:33-34).
- The Resurrection of Christ changed Mary Magdalene’s sorrow and weeping. At first, she thought that Christ’s Body was stolen, but when the Lord called her and said, “Mary!” (Jn 20:16), she recognized Him and understood that He is the Risen Lord. Consequently, “Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her” (Jn 20:18).
- The Resurrection of Christ gives us hope, because “the things which are impossible with men are possible with God” (Lk 18:27). “For with God nothing will be impossible” (Lk 1:37).
- The Resurrection of Christ not only grants us hope, but assures us that the dead will rise and confirms our faith in the general resurrection, as St. Paul wrote, “For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen” (1 Co 15:16). St. Paul reassures us of this hope, saying, “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Co 15:20). St. Paul wrote these words to the Thessalonians to comfort them, “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus” (1 Th 4:13-14).
- The Resurrection of Christ grants us the hope and the power to serve others by offering help and caring for the needy.
We pray that the light of Christ’s Resurrection may shine in our hearts and help us grow in His knowledge. May the joy we receive through Christ’s Resurrection lead us to bring joy to the weary hearts and those in need everywhere. - Let us pray for the peace of the Holy Church and for our beloved father, H.H. Pope Tawadros II.
- Let us pray for the souls of our beloved who have departed, and with them the soul of our beloved father, Hegumen Raphael Hanna. May our Lord repose all their souls in the Paradise of Joy and bring comfort and joy to the hearts of their families and loved ones.
- Let us pray for peace to prevail worldwide, and may our Lord lift inflation, epidemics, wars, and every kind of evil from the whole world.
Wishing you many happy and joyful returns.
Metropolitan Serapion
