Beautiful Egypt 448 – «The Truth of the Resurrection» – 27/4/2022

I wish all Egyptians a happy “Feast of Resurrection”, “Sham El-Nessim” and “Sinai Liberation Day”. The feasts of our beloved country unite in its spacious bosom, which embraces us all as one people and one heart;we work to build it with love and affection, pleading for God to protect it from all evil.
The Glorious Feast of Resurrection celebrated by the Christians of the East last Sunday, always sets before our eyes that immortal life that every person will live; Death is not the end, but rather only the beginning of an endless life. Our life here on earth determines the quality of eternal life; whoever chooses to live with love, goodness and giving to every human being, following the suit of God who makes His sun rise and grants bounties to all mankind – the righteous or the wicked, will definitely reap eternal happiness and joy. As for him who chooses grudge, evil and hatred, he wouldhave his life on earth tormented, and would continue it in eternal sorrow and misery after the resurrection. So, with the “Feast of the Resurrection” coming annually, we must wonder: Where are we from eternal life? Do we seek to prepare for it, or do the worldly currents attract us towards the great gap?! A wise man works to gain the happiness of that life, and sets it on top of his priorities.
The “resurrection” and eternal life are two inescapable facts, no matter how much attempts made to deny them, and so is denying the existence of God beforehand. Whoever denies the existence of God is like who is insisting on denying the sun! There is no doubt that the entire universe chants God’s supreme power and greatness, and all creatures present to us a spectacle that is speaking of His wisdom -blessed be His name- which can never be fully comprehended by human mind. The Bible described those who reject God as ignorant: “The fool has said in his heart: There is no God.” Although those people are unable to reject the inevitability of death, they insist on being immersed in darkness; their tragedy is revealed when they cross the bridge of death only to discover that they have deceived themselves. Here I recall the words of Sir Francis Newbert, the head of the British Atheists Club, to those who were standing around his bed before his death: “Do not tell me: There is no God; I am now in His presence. And do not tell me: There is no Hell; Now I feel that I am slipping into it miserably!” The nurse of the French atheist philosopher Voltaire stated: “Even if I am given all the money in Europe, I refuse to see another atheist dying! He cried all night long asking for forgiveness!”
On the other hand, we see that he who believes in God and eternal life never fears death; we see Apostle Paul announcing the victory over death through the resurrection of Lord Christ: “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” Rather, he counted death as gain: “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain… having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.” Saint “John Chrysostom,” Patriarch of Constantinople, counted it a transition to the better, saying: “Death for those who have lived a life of virtue is a transition, a journey to a better place and a higher life, and a path that leads to the crowns that God bestows”. Thus, we shall set before our eyes the “resurrection” to remind us of an endless life that awaits us with its glories, as Saint John Chrysostom recommends: “Let us always think about the general resurrection, and that there will be a fearfulday awaits all.If you see a brother clinging to the worldly wealth, direct his eyes to the glories of heaven, so he might turn his eyes towards there by doing good.If you see a sad anxious person, let him know that his sorrows will have an end, because the Lord promised to wipe every tear from our eyes there. If you see a lenient slackening in keeping the commandments, alert him that it would lead him to perdition, and ask him to struggle with grace, and to be very anxious for the salvation of himself and others.”
Happy feast to all of you, and… stories about beautiful Egypt never end!

The General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center