March 23, 2008

Easter Sunday

"CHRIST IS RISEN!" - "INDEED HE IS RISEN!"

Some of you know that this is the Easter greeting used by Eastern Orthodox Christians, both in their Easter Liturgy (much like a pep rally) and wherever they greet each other at Easter time. It is certainly much richer than our usual greeting in the West of "Happy Easter!" (Of course, Orthodox Christians are still in their Great Lent at this time since they celebrate Easter at a later date. A Russian Orthodox priest who is a good friend of ours told me that this was to their advantage because all of the Easter candy is on sale by the time they are ready for it!)

The story is told of a large gathering in a Russian auditorium in the mid-1900's, sponsored by the Communist Party. The main speaker was spewing out anti-Christian rhetoric and then put a challenge to his large audience. He asked if there was anyone there who had anything to say in defense of the Christian religion - anyone who could refute what he had said.

There was a long silence, during which a very old man got out of his seat and slowly hobbled his way up to the podium in the large hall. With his old raspy voice he simply greeted the audience by saying "Christ is risen!" Unhesitatingly with one voice the crowd replied, "Indeed He is risen!" The old man sat back down and the main speaker shamefacedly sat down as well and did not return to the podium.

Brothers and sisters, no matter what lies the world throws at us, no matter how subtly or aggressively the secular media tries to undermine our faith, we know that the Word of God is true and our hope in Him is sure, because CHRIST IS RISEN!

Might I suggest that in your own home or parish a lame "Happy Easter" give way to a bold proclamation, "CHRIST IS RISEN!" - "INDEED HE IS RISEN!"

Fr. Richard Roemer, CFR
Most Blessed Sacrament Friary, Newark, NJ