Day to day life can bombard us with an array of self help books, fad diets, products and ideas that can present a treasury of empty promises. We are told that we can be happy, sexy, rich or successful if we just purchase a certain product, read a particular book, subscribe to a tested financial plan or try the next exciting “special offer.”  It doesn’t take long for most people to realize the harsh reality of empty promises leading to more hopes, wishes and worries.

This Pascha, we will celebrate a joyous promise, a different kind of promise that is not of this world.  It is the promise that carries us into eternity.  This promise is found in the empty tomb and the proclamation that “Christ is Risen” and “He has trampled down death by death!”   We celebrate that we have a loving God who desires to be in relationship with each of us.  He hears our prayers and petitions.  Jesus tells us "Ask, and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened." (Matthew 7:7)

The fact is, that most of us carry around countless hopes, wishes, worries and needs that never in reality become our prayers. During the day, we might think to ourselves, "I wish I had a better relationship with my co-worker,"   or "I wish I could give more time to my family" or “I really want to change the way I interact with my teenage son or daughter.”  We talk to ourselves about our problems and struggles, our hopes and dreams.  We may even share our struggles with family and friends. We spend countless hours and sleepless nights thinking, worrying, and wondering. But how strangely reluctant, how frequently forgetful we are to talk trustingly and openly with our Father in heaven about the everyday problems, hopes, dreams, struggles of our lives.

St. John Chrysosotom speaks about our heavenly Father -  “I am father and brother and husband, I am the house, the garment, the root, the foundation-stone.  I am whatever you want.  If you come to me you will never lack anything:  I am even ready to be your servant, for I come to serve and not to be served.  I am friend and member and head and brother and sister and mother.  I am everything.  Listen to the insight St. John Chrysostom gives us describing our awesome Lord who wants to listen and help us.

“I have become a beggar for you and wanderer for you:  I went up to the Cross for you and down into the tomb for you:  for you in heart, I pray to the Father and for you I came down on earth as His ambassador.  You are everything to me Brother and co-inheritor and friend and member.  What more do you wish?  What more can I do for you, O my people?

We can be renewed and transformed entering into a daily relationship with our Lord.    Ask and life will be given to you.  Seek, and you shall find His truth:  knock and the door will be open. 

Throughout the remainder of Great Lent let us faithfully make every effort to attend Sunday Divine Liturgy, midweek services and participate fully in Holy Week.   Let us also pray daily, reciting the prayer of St. Ephraim, asking our Lord to grant us the spirit of moderation, humility, patience, and love. 

As we lift our voices to proclaim Christ’s holy resurrection and raise our bright lit candle singing “Christ is Risen!” let us truly come alive awakening the dead parts in our life.  Let us trust in His promise, his faithfulness and glorious resurrection.