During each Lenten pre-sanctified liturgy, the priest comes through the

royal doors and proclaims: “The Light of Christ enlightens everyone who comes into the world!” On that sacred evening of Pascha, the Priest steps through the royal doors into a darkened church inviting the

faithful to ‘Come Receive the Light’! We are to receive Christ’s Light

‘into’ our life. We open a place in our hearts for Jesus – the savior

of the world who transforms us from the inside out.

 

“He who follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light

of life" (John 8:12). Truly, the light that we are receiving is Jesus

Himself. As we receive Jesus, we receive the light of the world and

are given the opportunity to offer that brightness back to the world.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works

and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

 

“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and

those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and

ever.” (Daniel 12:3) God has strategically placed each star in the

heavens and God has strategically placed you and me on the earth to

bring light to those around us. The stars in the night praise God, so

should God’s people shine the light of Christ!

 

 

God is now personally calling us to come out of darkness and the bonds

of depression. He is calling us to come out of mediocrity, boredom,

gloom and be bathed in His love and light. You see, Jesus freely gives

light and life to those who seek Him with sincere hearts. Often, I

hear people who are struggling with addictions and depression say "I

feel like I am in a big dark, deep hole and I can't climb out of this.”

 

Indeed, alone it is impossible. But through Christ all things are

possible. We must never give up on those in their darkness. There is

always hope. The light of Christ is stronger than the darkest soul!

One of the greatest challenges of faith is to really and truly grasp

what Jesus tells us about the power of light over darkness. Christ

said. “I have come as light into the world so that everyone who

believes in me, should not remain in the darkness.” John 12:46

 

Picture your co-worker, friend or neighbor watching you respond in

kindness and compassion to others. Imagine how your calm words and

actions demonstrate a peacemaking force. Imagine the way you treat your spouse, children and others becoming contagious because of your

generous and positive spirit. Imagine how this might bring light to

another as they begin to see the light shine out of you and draws them

in!

 

We are to become radiant and allow that flame, that warm love, that joy

to ignite our heart to become a light into this dark and broken world.

So practice looking for the joy in life twenty-four hours a day!

Practice training the eyes to see the good and positive. We are free

to respond to life with good thoughts and we are able to overcome

difficulties and challenges by not responding with “I don’t want”, “I

don’t love” which leads us to say, “I can’t”. When we become the light

we are able to respond with “I want to see” - “I want to find a way” -

“I will respond with love.”

 

After the resurrection service of Holy Pascha you will drive out of the

parking lot of Holy Apostles with your paschal candle lit. It will be

your decision whether or not you allow the light of Christ to shine as

a beacon of hope to those you encounter in your job, family,

neighborhood, classroom and community. Let the world see your light and come to know Jesus Christ through your example and witness.

 

Mother Theresa writes: "People are unreasonable, illogical, and

self-centered. Love them anyway. If you do good, people may accuse you of selfish motives. Do good anyway. If you are successful, you may win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Honesty and transparency make you vulnerable. Be honest and transparent anyway. What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway. People who really want help may attack you if you help them. Help them anyway. Give the world the best you have and you may get hurt. Give the world your best anyway."

 

 

There are no boundaries to God’s love and light – Let us become that

light and remember our calling as we faithfully sing “Christ is Risen!”