BRIGHT THURSDAY
Dear Parish Faithful & Friends in Christ,
CHRIST IS RISEN! INDEED HE IS RISEN!
The following was sent to me by our dear friend, Mother Paula, of the Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Ellwood City, PA. It is from the same Bp. Nikolai of Ochrid that was behind yesterday's paschal meditation. Here is a succinct description of the meaning and implications for human life revealed in Christ's victory over death.
The last enemy shall be destroyed is death’ (1 Cor. 15:26)
The first enemy of man is the devil.The second is sin.The third is death.
The Lord Jesus conquered these three enemies of the human race.
He conquered the devil by His humiliation.
He conquered sin by His death.
He conquered death by His Resurrection.
At what price does He offer us His victory?
To live for Him and not for ourselves; to enthrone Him in our hearts for conquering, Death.
He has utterly and completely overcome all our enemies, and that is the price in which He offers; His victory to each of us.
The apostle Paul says, ‘Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (1 Corinthians 15:57)
O risen Lord, illumine us, strengthen us and heal us by Thy victory! With thanksgiving, we give glory and praise to Thee forever. Amen.
Excerpts from St. Nikolai Velimirovic’s Prologue Part Two p. 27