Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Today, we celebrate the resurrection of our God, Jesus Christ.
Finally, the promise of our God in the Old Testaments, through his prophets; and the words of Jesus Christ were fulfilled. Jesus Christ died on the cross, descended to the dead and on the rose again on the third day. The power of death over man was finally destroyed and those who have faith in Him was given life through his resurrection.
Here's a story originating from the former Soviet Union that is fitting for our celebration of the Feast of the Resurrection:
It was Easter, but since religious persecution was at its height, the churches were closed and anti-religious propaganda was in full swing. A Soviet officer came to a village and ordered the entire population to the go to the village center, where he harangued them about the "scientific" proofs that there is no God.
Finally, an old man spoke out. He was the village priest, who for a long time had been prevented from exercising his ministry among the people. He asked to be allowed to say a few words. The smug Soviet official, confident that the old man can do no harm to the atheist cause, let him go to the front of the people so he can speak.
Upon arriving at the front, the old priest simply said, "My people, Christ is Risen!"
First, there was an uneasy silence. Then, an old woman croaked back: "Indeed, He is Risen!" A few voices followed, "Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!" Before long the entire crowd was singing the great Paschal song of the Eastern Churches: "Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!"
The Soviets, alarmed, arrested the old man, and he was never seen again. But he had struck a blow against atheism that won't be forgotten for a long, long time.
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May this day be the start of our true conversion. May we also rise up and reject our sinful ways so that we will be worthy to stand in His presence when the time of His reign comes to this world. May we also be as brave as that village priest, standing up and proclaiming to the people that Christ is risen and make people be joyous to His great VICTORY against death.
Have a blessed Holy Sunday to all of us!
Finally, the promise of our God in the Old Testaments, through his prophets; and the words of Jesus Christ were fulfilled. Jesus Christ died on the cross, descended to the dead and on the rose again on the third day. The power of death over man was finally destroyed and those who have faith in Him was given life through his resurrection.
Here's a story originating from the former Soviet Union that is fitting for our celebration of the Feast of the Resurrection:
It was Easter, but since religious persecution was at its height, the churches were closed and anti-religious propaganda was in full swing. A Soviet officer came to a village and ordered the entire population to the go to the village center, where he harangued them about the "scientific" proofs that there is no God.
Finally, an old man spoke out. He was the village priest, who for a long time had been prevented from exercising his ministry among the people. He asked to be allowed to say a few words. The smug Soviet official, confident that the old man can do no harm to the atheist cause, let him go to the front of the people so he can speak.
Upon arriving at the front, the old priest simply said, "My people, Christ is Risen!"
First, there was an uneasy silence. Then, an old woman croaked back: "Indeed, He is Risen!" A few voices followed, "Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!" Before long the entire crowd was singing the great Paschal song of the Eastern Churches: "Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!"
The Soviets, alarmed, arrested the old man, and he was never seen again. But he had struck a blow against atheism that won't be forgotten for a long, long time.
---
May this day be the start of our true conversion. May we also rise up and reject our sinful ways so that we will be worthy to stand in His presence when the time of His reign comes to this world. May we also be as brave as that village priest, standing up and proclaiming to the people that Christ is risen and make people be joyous to His great VICTORY against death.
Have a blessed Holy Sunday to all of us!
