We have grown used to defeat — being overcome by others. But now — now it is Easter, our victory! For Christ is in our midst, Christ is in us, and we conquer the order of nature, our flesh and blood. Most people are sleeping now, on this Easter night. But sleep is the last thing on our minds, that much is certain! No: now we might well say, "Lord, give us even more time to pray!" Yet even good things must have their measure…
A demanding week lies ahead of us, and with good reason it is called Bright Week. During this week there is no fasting, and the services are joyful and different, but through it all we must hold on to the Easter spirit. And that is very hard to do… "Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God" (1 Cor. 15:50, NKJV). Yet, how quickly we fall into the bitter habit of grumbling: "Oh, this aches. Oh, this husband, this wife, children, work, bosses, the weather…" Nothing seems right to us… How can you please someone who is always making excuses for themselves? You say one thing to them, and they come straight back at you: "And who are you to talk?"
We ought to thank God for what we have. Yet we do not see this, and we reach for what we do not need. From that comes our suffering: envious eyes… Then our dear ones, and all who walk beside us, feel the sting as well. For we hanker after things we do not even know. And yet we already have all we need! We have Christ, Who conquered death. We shall not die any more. We know that for certain. And if we must bear a little trouble — we will bear it; it is nothing so awful. Just a little while. How long? Well, "The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their boast is only labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away" (Ps. 90:10, NKJV). What is that beside eternity?
We must grow into mature, mindful people, for God Himself is with us. We do not put our trust in feelings, moods, or what we fancy — all that is vanity. It is God’s will we must look for. If you have gone to a monastery — settle there and pray until your last breath. If you have married — live as a family, keep it holy. And do not sit there complaining that you are unhappy. There is no need to be that foolish, do you know? And when we come to ourselves, it is too late: we must give account for our whole life. How many mistakes have been made! How many wrong words spoken! Enough. Let us, at least in this Bright Week, speak only true and good words, and notice only the good in everyone.
Just look at yourself — how beautiful you are! You cannot begin to imagine your true beauty! Believe it — it is there. When someone complains all the time, soon enough they start to believe that everything really is dark. But all is wonderful for us! I remember myself at an age when I had no God. I had not yet found God and was not baptised. I suffered and did not know why I suffered. I was twenty and did not want to live. Everything had become uninteresting, dull… But life with God is not boring, I assure you. So live with God. Rejoice in what you have today. And what have we today? The Body and Blood of Christ, Which we have communed.
And do not fix your mind on what hurts you. Look at what you can truly be joyful about, right here and now. So, my friends, let us live this week in holiness! Even a little. Even just a bit. And we will taste the sweetness of a good, God-pleasing life. We have grown used to a life in which we sin, and sin becomes our norm. But look at those close to you, at your family, with new eyes — and you will see their beauty and love them again. Maybe you have spent your whole life fighting like cats and dogs. But today, you will live in love! Find the beauty around you and do not let it go. I believe God will help us in this. He will, of course. Just stop feeling sorry for yourselves. And let us thank God for the great blessings He showers upon us sinners. "For if You save the righteous, it is nothing great... But marvel at Your mercy upon me, the sinner."
What a wonderful message we have heard today ("The Homily on Pascha" of St John Chrysostom. — Ed.). So, perhaps our fasting did not go as we hoped — and yet God still gives us His joy. Even if we have kept this fast poorly, God still wants to give joy to all, to each one of us. And in this, we do not boast over anyone, saying: "I am better, and you are worse." We are all one and the same. For today Christ is in each one of us. And Christ is fullness. Christ is that life in which nothing is wrong. In Him all is beautiful! So if, in this Bright Week, we begin to moan, "How unlucky we are, look what we have done and where we have come to!" — that will be betrayal. Instead we say: "I will not give You a kiss like Judas, but like the robber I confess to You: Remember me, O Lord, in Your Kingdom!"
Amen. Christ is Risen!
Sermon after the Divine Liturgy, 05.05.2024, Paschal service
