Eastern Christians are celebrating Feast of the Resurrection “Easter”. Resurrection is the concept of coming back to life after death in which one abandons this hard life to an eternal life with no pain or misery. As in Heaven, there is no pain or misery. Thus, resurrection turned to be one’s motivation during life to seek this eternal happiness. If one seeks the joy of eternal life, he should behave wisely and adopt a sound judgment on matters while alive. As life after death gives us hope that our current life is short and it will end someday; hence we should struggle for eternal life. Man will only have his good deeds to accompany him beyond the grave. If good, he will enjoy eternal life, if evil, he will face eternal torture.
Therefore, Resurrection and eternal life alarm man to watch over his choices as they will determine his eternal fate. One should realize that the way to eternal life is in presenting love, mercy and justice out of his love for God who granted and entrusted him on the blessing of being alive. Thus, his life turns to a fruitful tree that shadows over passers-by.
Love and Resurrection
St. Paul says, “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
Man clings to the hope that God will reward his toiling and patience on earth.
Love that you offer during your life will be the key to your eternal joy. When one grants his sincere love to others supporting them in their time of need, he will be a reason of joy to all those he meets and be rewarded for this while alive and in Heaven. As love begins on earth, then it becomes man’s advocate on doomsday.
Joy and Resurrection
There would be no sadness or suffering in Heaven. Man will be joyful as he would meet his First Love, God who supported him during all his life suchlike a Real Father. He will feel a great joy as he will meet with all the righteous souls that he lives with on earth and those whom he knew, but didn’t meet. Eternal life is void of injustices, sufferings and wars; it is a life of ever-lasting peace that no one could ever steal. One would be joyful too as all his toiling and longsuffering would be crowned with rest. It resembles a student who works patiently to joyfully achieve success. Life is a test too that if you passed, you would be rewarded by eternal life.
I like the saying that goes, “Life is a test and your answers will define your future, so concentrate on them as you have no extra time”
Recalling resurrection brings peace and joy to the righteous soul and it is an alert to the evil to alter their ways, offering repentance and seeking the good way.
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
