The resurrection of
Jesus is the strength of the church. It is the strength of a new life
given to us by Jesus, to whom is the glory. When He trampled death and
subdued Hades, He was victorious for us against the fearful enemy. The
feast of the resurrection is a new chance for everyone. It is the
strength of our resurrection, which we received in baptism, when we
were buried with Jesus in the baptism of death. So as Jesus rises from
the dead, then that is how we dwell in the new life.
Who will role over the stone?
It
is the dawn of the resurrection… The women are on their way to the tomb
in the early hours of the morning. They are carrying incense. They were
saying among themselves, "Who shall roll us away the stone?"
(Mark 16:3). There was a big stone placed against the door of the tomb.
It could not be perceived by the human mind that these women could
reach the body of the savior.
Numerously, it seams that Jesus is
imprisoned in my soul, as if motionless, as He was in the tomb before
the resurrection. This great stone of my numerous sins kept Him as a
prisoner. How many times my soul lingered to see Jesus rising in
His light and might! How many times I have tried to role over the
stone, but without prevail? For the weight of the stone, bound by
habits, was heavier. Many times I have said in despair, "Who shall roll away the stone?"
(Mark 16:3). Despite that, the women are on their way to the tomb.
Their approach is a work of faith. So whether that was faith or
craziness, still it will be rewarded. Then I will have to continue in
my overwhelming desire, so that the stone would be rolled away. But the
women didn't go to the tomb empty handed they brought sweet spices for
the Savior's body, (Mark 16:1). Therefore, I have to bring something
with me - at least as my good gesture – that is if I desire that the
stone be rolled over from my soul. This gesture should be of value,
even if it was a token, but it has to constitute a sacrifice. And now…
The women have found that the stone was removed in an unexpected way. "There was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door."
(Matt. 28:2).
To remove the stone, there should have been an amazing
miracle - An earthquake – because a push or a snug was not enough. It
is the same for that stone within me, which seems to paralyze the
movement of Jesus. It requires an earthquake… That is an internal
overhaul, a full uprooting change. The matter requires an
illuminated projectile that will shake me. This is how Jesus rises
within me to subdue the old and make room for the new. This surpasses
the arrangements and organizations, for it requires death which is
followed by birth. The angel has announced to the disciples that Jesus,
who is risen, is waiting for them in Galilee. Jesus Himself asserts the
fact, saying, "Go into Galilee, and there shall they see Me."
(Matt. 28:10). Why is the return to Galilee? Is Jesus trying to protect
his disciples from the adversity of the Jews? Or does He want to
confirm that after the turbulence of His sufferings, there will come
days of peace and tranquility? Maybe… But it seems that there is a more
deep reason than that. Jesus met His disciples in Galilee. There they
heard His call and started to follow it. Therefore, the memories of
those days will stay with our souls youthfully and
refreshingly. This was after some of them were weak and hopeless,
without faith during His sufferings. Jesus wanted them to return once
more to their first vigor and their old warmth… He wanted to renew
their emotions and their will, which were there when they first met. In
the atmosphere of the Galilee, which the Lord has returned to, was for
the new life, which He will fulfill and declare to them. There is a
'Galilee' in the life of each of us. Or at least among those who, one
day, met the Savior and loved Him. The 'Galilee' is the time, during
which I felt the Lord is looking at me, and calling my name. Since that
time, long years have passed, maybe burdened with a lot of sins, during
which it seems that I have forgotten Jesus. But despite this - whoever
meets Jesus - even once - will never forget Him. Here is Jesus calling
on me to go to the 'Galilee' of my life, to reconfirm that love, which
I was characterized with during my early days. There I will see Him
anew. My Master… I would like to return to the 'Galilee', but will I
meet You there? How will my heart illuminate, that which was dim? Is it
just by mentioning the 'Galilee', my life will be content, will I
regain my emotions, with my first meeting with You? "And, behold, He goes before you into Galilee."
(Matt. 28:7). My son, don't think about the new meeting in pain. I will
be honest in the promise that I will strike with you. I will do more,
just for the intention of your waiting, in the 'Galilee' of memories. I
will be there before you, to guide you. When you stead fast your heart
anew in 'Galilee', then He is the One who will guide you, He will know
you and will talk with you…
The different features of Jesus
Jesus
appeared to His disciples after His resurrection. He came to them. He
didn't spend time in scolding them for their weak belief, and they
didn't waist time to apologize, or explain their excuses. But
everything happened in simplicity and love giving, He said unto them, "Have you here any meat?" (Luke 24:41). "And they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb."
(Luke 24:42). So life returns to its original nature, to that time from
when it ceased. If I betrayed Jesus and left Him, when I set a time to
return to Him, I don't have to worry or prepare for such a meeting. I
only have to let Him return into my daily life. I would place Him in my
current events. Get Him involved in my problems and my wishes. It is
enough to offer Jesus His share of the fish and honeycomb. At this
instance Jesus will be present at the table. He will share our lives
anew. This happens in the blink of an eye. But we have to act in
humility and repentance. The exterior condition is simple and easy, but
we require an overhaul from within We require to surrender, and be
humble. "After that He appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country."
(Mark 16:12). Jesus, after His resurrection, appeared to individuals
who knew Him (John 20:20). We beseech Jesus our Lord, who has risen
from the dead, to give us the spirit of the resurrection from within,
to renew our lives and our repentance. We desire Him to enter unto us,
even if the doors were closed, so that we can hear His divine voice.