My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE
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THE CROSS OF CHRIST IS THE LIFE-GIVING TREE
"Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me" (St. Matthew 16:24).
In the Old Testament book of Genesis God said to Adam and Eve, "You shall not eat from it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die" (Genesis 3:3). The fruit of disobedience is death. However, theosis (deification) comes through obedience to God and His Commandments. Eve was deceived by the evil serpent and thus disobeyed God. She, in turn, gave the fruit to her husband, and he ate. His free will was the first thing to suffer in the Fall, and thus is the first thing that needs healing in man.
What we also see with our ancestral parents is their lack of repentance. As a matter of fact, Adam went as far as to blame God, "The woman you gave me, gave me of the tree, and I ate" (Genesis 3:12). "The woman said, '"The serpent deceived me, and I ate." Because of their disobedience, they were expelled from the "garden of pleasure". The woman's seed is first our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and secondly His Holy Church. The Tree of Life (Genesis 3:24) prefigures Christ, through which man regains Paradise.
As we anticipate the Passion of our Lord, we recall His suffering on the Cross, which is the Tree of Life. As Orthodox Christian believers we find strength in our personal struggle. This struggle of following Christ is called His "yoke". "Take My yoke upon you...For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light" (St. Matthew 11:29-30). Jesus called it also a Cross. Long before the day of His crucifixion, the Lord taught: "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me" (St. Matthew 16:24). "He that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me" (St. Matthew 10:38).
Our path, as Orthodox Christians, is "the path of the cross and of struggle." In other words, my dear friends, it is the path of patience; of the bearing of sorrows, persecutions, suffering for the Name of Christ; to deny the enticements of the world and worldly goods for the sake of Christ; of fighting against one's passions and lusts.
The Holy Apostles following the path of Christ completed the struggle of their life with a martyr's death. We, too, as we continue our spiritual struggle to Christ on this Great and Holy Week should act according to our individual strength. Our spiritual ascesis (struggle) cannot exist without sacrifice, without inward battle, without self-control and restraint.
The entire history of our Holy Church has been built on struggles. Historically, we witness this struggle and sufferings of the Holy Martyrs, the Holy Fathers, and Mothers of the Church, the Holy Confessors and of the desert dwellers among countless other believers. Over the many centuries, millions of Christians, following the path to Christ, were willing to suffer for Christ, to die for Christ.
Knowing how challenging the path to Christ and the way of the Cross is, we, Christian believers, must be willing to accept our destiny. First, we should practice self-restraint and spiritual cleansing. Also, by following the holy example of the Saints, by vigils, fasts, virtue, worship, faith and willingness to repent.
During this holy season, the Orthodox Christian should understand that everything that we will experience leads us to our own spiritual renewal. To reaffirm and rededicate ourselves to the service of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We enter Great and Holy Week with empty hands "for we have not done anything good upon the earth." We do, however, have an opportunity to follow the example of the "good thief" who from his cross asked Christ, "Lord," remember me when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom" (St. Luke 23:42). Furthermore, to hear Jesus' answer to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise" (St. Luke 23:43). Hopefully we too, on that day, will hear His Divine invitation to enter into His Kingdom.
The Tree in the middle of the garden whose fruit the first Adam and Eve ate brought the ancestral sin as a consequence of their disobedience. But, the Cross of Christ, the Second Adam, who was obedient unto death, bore the fruit of salvation to those who believe. We also have the example, par excellence, of the Ever-Virgin, the Second Eve, and her total obedience to the Almighty God when she responded to the announcement of Archangel Gabriel that she was chosen by God to be the mother of His Son by saying: "Behold the maid-servant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word" (St. Luke 1:38). Mary's faithful response is that of the highest obedience to God. Whereas Eve once disobeyed, Ever-Virgin Mary now obeys; whereas Eve closed herself to God, the Theotokos opens to His will.
When we look at the overall picture of what is to happen soon and every year at this time, we are reminded of God's love for all of mankind. What more can we ask for? Salvation is a gift from Him. It is through His Sacrifice on the Cross that we are saved. What kind of sacrifice are we willing to offer to Him for all that He has done for us? Are we willing to follow Him? Are we willing to "take up the cross"? Are we willing to accept His invitation to the Kingdom? Questions that everyone needs to answer for himself.
As we traverse through the Great and Holy Week we reach the Holy and Glorious Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Saint John Chrysostom reminds us all of the Great Banquet that awaits us and at which we are all invited to the feast. "Whosoever is a devout lover of God, let him enjoy this beautiful bright Festival. And whosoever is a grateful servant, let him rejoice and enter into the joy of the Lord...The calf is a fatter one. Let no one go away hungry. Partake ye all of the cup of faith. Enjoy ye all the riches of his goodness. Let no one grieve at his poverty; for the universal Kingdom has been revealed. Let no one mourn that he hath fallen again and again; for forgiveness hath risen from the grave. Let no one fear death; for the death of our Savior hath set us free...".
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ΚΑΛΟ ΠΑΣΧΑ! Α BLESSED PASCHA TO ALL!
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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!"- Saint John Chrysostom
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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George