Mar

23

Latin Patriarch’s Easter Sunday Homily

March 23, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Here is the homily the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, Archbishop Michel Sabbah, gave today, Easter Sunday, at the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.
* * *
Brothers and Sisters,
Christ is risen. Yes, right here, this tomb that we venerate witnessed the events that have been transmitted to us by our faith. Here, the empty tomb, […]

Mar

23

Gravity and Grace

March 23, 2008 | Leave a Comment

 

The man who has known pure joy, if only for a moment…is the person for whom affliction is something devastating.
At the same time he is the person who has not deserved the punishment.
But, after all, for him it is no punishment; it is God holding his hand and pressing rather hard.
For, if he remains constant, […]

Mar

23

The Resurrection Continued

March 23, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Easter Sunday evening the Apostles gathered in the upper room because of fear of the people who might have been provoked to violence because of the stories of the Resurrection of Christ. While assembled there out of fear, Jesus came and stood in the midst of them and said: “Peace be unto you.” (John 10:19) […]

Mar

23

Spiritual Combat in the Desert

March 23, 2008 | Leave a Comment

“The Gospel bids us always to practice vigilance everywhere.
Without neglecting small things,
the monk should above all guard his thoughts
and not fear at all the attacks that come from temptation
– the biggest of all being sloth, idleness –
because the one who is leading him is He Who reigns over all.
We can keep a brake on our […]

Mar

23

Easter Sermon of St. John Chrysostom

March 23, 2008 | Leave a Comment

“If any man be devout and love God,
let him enjoy this fair and radiant triumphal feast.
“If any man be a wise servant,
let him enter rejoicing into the joy of his Lord.
“If any have labored long in fasting,
let him now receive his recompense.
“If any have wrought from the first hour,
let him today receive his just reward.
“If […]

Mar

23

Easter Message

March 23, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Parkminster, 1996
Early this morning in the narthex before the door of the church we lit a candle in the dark. From that candle each of us symbolically took light, and we followed that candle into the church and we set it there in a place of honor.
What could symbolize better the festival of light that […]

Mar

23

From Archbishop Sheen

March 23, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Easter Sunday was not within three days of the Transfiguration but within three days of Good Friday. Love is not to be measured by the joy and pleasures it gives but by the ability to draw out of sorrow, a resurrection out of a crucifixion, and life out of death. Unless there is a cross […]