EASTER PASTORAL: Paschal event tells us we can make a difference (04/28/02)

EASTER PASTORAL

Paschal event tells us we can make a difference

To the venerable presbyters, deacons, monastics and devout laity - children of God of the Holy Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Canada, the United States of America, Latin America, Great Britain, Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand. May the grace and peace of the risen Savior be with all of you!

Christ is risen!

Let us go back if you will, some 2000 years. There was such a demonstration of joyful celebration that Palm Sunday. Cries of "Hosanna! Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord!" and symbols of life and victory greeted Jesus as He entered the city of Peace. His closest friends could not have been more elated. It was Passover, the commemoration of God's love for His people.

Yet beneath the cries of welcome evil wove its web. Who best to help weave it than the clergy-politicos of the established order? Who better to spring the trap than a trusted and close friend, one who had his own agenda? What better sign of betrayal than a kiss - a kiss which brought the Son of God to a mock trial, to stand before an ineffectual politician, to be condemned just to please the mob, to agonizing suffering and finally death and interment in a tomb provided by a gentle man from Aramathea, who was a righteous soul.

The world of the apostles and flowers of "Jesus of Nazareth, a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people ..." (Luke 24:19) seemingly came to an end that Friday afternoon twenty centuries ago. Their hopes were dashed, especially for James and John who had brazenly attempted to secure positions for themselves in the kingdom. Peter would never forget that he denied Him - after all, it was a question of self-preservation. Thomas, the twin, was devastated.

One can only imagine the pain that pierced the heart of His mother, the anguish experience by Mary Magdalene and the other women who followed Him, especially Mary who had been embraced in profound forgiveness. How could this happen? How could God allow this? The pain is too much to bear. "We hoped that it was He who would redeem Israel" (Luke 24:21)

We celebrate this Pascha, the second of a new century an a new millennium in very uncertain times, in which our faith and faithfulness are tested. Evil raises its ugly head throughout the world, as is evidenced in the daily news. America continues to endure the aftershocks of September 11. The world convulses. The culture of death - physical and spiritual - seemingly triumphs everywhere. The land of our forefathers, Ukraine, in its 10th year of independence now groans under a new burden, one caused by secular and ecclesiastical politicos who grasp at power to rule rather than to serve, rather take than give. The Holy Land sanctified by the footsteps of Jesus Christ, Son of God, soaks up the blood of those slaughtered on opposing sides. Like Habakkuk of old, believers cry out "... how long shall I cry and You will not hear! Even cry out to You of violence, and You will not save!" (Habbakuk 1:2).

Is there an answer? Yes, an answer given to us as calmly today as it was centuries ago by the risen Savior: "Be not afraid" [Matthew 28:10], "I am with you always ..." [Matthew 28:20]. This is the essence of the Paschal message. Pascha speaks to us of our own personal transfiguration, our rebirth and renewal in Christ. The Paschal event and the message clearly presented by all of Holy Week and Bright Week, manifested in our liturgical way of life, makes it evident that we Ukrainian Orthodox Christians can make a difference if we wish.

We can be the sowers of the righteousness and justice, the peace and harmony, spoken of in the Beatitudes. We can and we must be bearers of the Risen Christ's Love to the "brethren" (Matthew 25:40) of Christ, those of the world who are driven to despair by injustice and hunger, whether spiritual or material, and choose to make their plight known by taking their own lives or the lives of others. We can and must be the outstretched hands of the Risen Lord, lovingly grasping and raising the downtrodden of this world from darkness to light, from death to life.

Pascha 2002 reminds us, clergy and laity, that we have been called by the risen Lord Himself to holiness and to a special vocation - to be the salt of the earth. Our good deeds must shine forth in the Paschal Light so that others might have the fullness of life. At Pascha 2002, in a world beset by insecurity and uncertainty, a world in which mutual assured destruction is a clear and present danger, Christ calls to us saying, "Fear not!" and at the same time reminds us and our brethren in Ukraine that our righteousness must exceed that of those who falsely profess righteousness. For a change to occur, our life must imitate the only true example of righteousness, love, compassion and serve - given by Christ Himself.

To our brethren in Ukraine, clergy and laity with whom we are related through the waters of regeneration (Baptism) and to all for clergy and faithful beyond the border of Ukraine, with whom we share the same sacred relationship, we joyfully proclaim the hymn of victory - Christ is Risen! and "Do not fear" for we can, with His help, overcome the culture of death and destruction that plagues our world.

May the peace of the risen Christ, His Grace, the Love of God the Fattier and Fellowship of Holy Spirit abide with us now and forever. Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

Ý Wasyl - Metropolitan
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

Ý Constantine - Metropolitan Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A.

Ý John - Archbishop
UOC of Canada

Ý Antony - Archbishop
UOC of the U.S.A.

Ý Vsevolod - Archbishop
UOC of the U.S.A.

Ý Ioan - Archbishop
UOC in Diaspora

Ý Yurij - Archbishop
UOC of Canada

Ý Jeremiah - Ukrainian Orthodox Eparchy of South America

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