“Why
do you seek the living among the dead?” (Luke 24:5).
This is a question that is directed to those who search for
the living in cemeteries. For centuries people have placed cemeteries
away from their homes, so that the resting place of the dead
would be a distinct place only for the dead; a place the living
would simply visit and not inhabit.
Therefore, seeking the living amongst the dead is absurd.
But for those good and naïve women who had come to anoint
Jesus’ body three days after his interment, the question,
no matter how extraordinary it seemed, had a different context
and meaning. On the morning of the Resurrection when the two
men in “dazzling clothes” asked the oil-bearing
women, Why do you seek the living among the dead in
a garden far from the city, the expression of surprise was more
a rebuke and a test of their faith. All those who had followed
Jesus did not yet know that as God He could not die, could not
be sought amongst the dead, as he had told his disciples several
times prior to his crucifixion.
God is always living. God is always life-giving. Christ’s
Resurrection confirms this and forms the anchor of the Christian
faith. Without the Resurrection, there is no Christianity; without
the Resurrection there is no church and Christian mission (1
Cor. 15:14). The Resurrected Savior appeared before his students
on different occasions. Sometimes he chided them for their doubt
(Mark 16:14). Sometimes he encouraged them by announcing that
they would encounter people who would challenge their witness
of the Resurrection as being illogical. He told them they would
be persecuted and killed, and only those who attested to His
life and resurrection would be worthy of His kingdom and everlasting
life. Those who live for Jesus live with Jesus.
After birth, human creatures live the life cast to them according
to the laws of Providence. All creatures of nature who are moving
and growing, live and one day die. This is true for all things
created, vegetable and animal. But we, as rational creatures,
have different ideas and responsibilities, and we ask, what
is life, who is alive and who is dead? For a true Christian
who lives by Jesus, life is not simply a sum of days and years.
We make life worthy by working toward a goal and responsibility;
we make life worthy and we give meaning to life by being obedient
to God’s commandments.
With this understanding two kinds of “being alive”
are necessary, in order for us to be able to offer our lives
to God and be worthy to be called human and children of God.
1.
Being alive for those like us.
If Jesus’ salvation is directed toward humankind, then
we must be God’s co-worker and try to continue to sow
and harvest the seeds of God’s Kingdom in this world.
This world and its inhabitants have been given to Christians
for the establishment of love and dedication, forgiveness and
respect, modesty and meekness. Everything is given to us, “For
all things are yours…life, or death, the present or the
future, all are yours,” (1 Cor. 3:22), with the condition
that we belong to Christ. If all these riches are given to us,
then how much must we give to those similar to us, those who
are like us in their faith, equal to us. Often the problems
of the world distance us from our obligations. Quite often when
we see the needy, we change our direction, and go on. Is the
world not more beautiful, are people not more intimate, when
like the Good Samaritan we are able to have compassion, be caring,
and to love (Luke 10:25-37). Only then do we hear the voice
of Jesus, “Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom
prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was
hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed
me. I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came
to me.” (Mt. 25:34-36).
2.
Being alive for Jesus.
Life is not an accounting of an unpurposeful and self-ending
life; first and foremost it is a gift in order to accept and
execute the will of our Creator. And living it fully is nothing
other than being perfectly and fully dedicated to our Lord Jesus.
As our Lord tells us, it is not possible to serve two masters.
It is not possible to belong to Jesus and on the other hand
pursue worldly desires. It is not possible to profess being
true Christians to each other, and to then live the life of
a heathen. Through His Resurrection, Christ invites us to distance
ourselves, as much as possible, from a sinful way of life and
behavior. The love of God is our prescription for our healing,
so that the love we have for God and for those like us, will
keep our spirit alive and pure, which belongs to the resurrected
Christ, the eternally ALIVE Jesus. Then the reproving question—Why
are you looking for the living among the dead?—will
not be asked of us, since we have already brought our spirit
to life from death.
As we gather to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ, blessed
are they who find the fullness of humanity with Christ and in
Christ.
On the Holy Resurrection return to Him and join those who are
blessed.
Christ is risen from the dead.
Archbishop
Oshagan Choloyan
Prelate
Armenian Apostolic Church of America
Eastern United States of America
Holy Easter
2008 |
