Christians have greeted one another from the morning of Resurrection Sunday until Ascension Day for over 2,000 years! Although we celebrate the Resurrection but once a year, on each Sunday we remind ourselves of Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead. The Resurrection was so meaningful for Jesus’ disciples, that they began to gather in the early hours of the first day of each week to recall the events of that day; of the women finding Jesus’ tomb empty. We, like early Christians, pronounce that Jesus lives. In his company sadness becomes joy, restlessness becomes peace, grief becomes praise and life is given a new meaning and purpose. We have again lit the Paschal candle, this time for the year 2022 AD. Jesus said: “I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! (Lk 12:49) Our fervent wish and prayer is that this fire may burn in each of our hearts. Faith is what supports us in the most difficult times. During the 16th century, Carmelite mystic St. John of the Cross suffered from persecution and imprisonment. He wrote: “However heavy is our burden, the lighter it becomes when it is carried with love toward God”. Note that it is not the heaviest of burdens that becomes light, but that the heavier the burden, the lighter it becomes. This piece of wisdom is worth keeping in mind during this time of war. To whom much is given, much is expected.
Jesus Christ’s triumph over death is ultimate, if in death we are christened in His name we will share in the glory of eternity.
Bishop Tiit Salumäe
