APRIL 20, 2014 - "THE STING OF DEATH HAS BEEN REMOVED"

On this glorious Resurrection morning, we should reflect back on the events of the last several days. Let us ponder the words of St. Gregory of Nyssa: "Yesterday I hung on the cross with Christ; today I am glorified with Him. Yesterday I was dying with Him: today I am brought to life with Him. Yesterday I was buried with Him; today I rise with Him. Let us become gods for Him, since He became man for us."

Ever since man set foot on the earth, Death has been his arch-enemy. This mysterious conqueror evoked fear and trembling in the hearts of mankind. But this is so no more! Death has been slain, conquered and defeated! So St. John Chrysostom says, "it is true, we still die, yet we do not remain in death . . ." St. Paul expresses the same thought: "O Death, where is thy sting? O Death, where is thy victory?"

The One who conquered Death is Christ our Lord. The way He defeated Death was by dying, and then rising from the grave. Death could not hold Him. The seals of His tomb were of no avail. He trampled down Death by death. He emerged the mighty Victor over the grave.

No wonder we proclaim "This is the day which the Lord has made, let us be glad and rejoice in it!" Our rejoicing will be genuine and overflowing . . . if we understand the true significance of our Lord's Resurrection from the dead.